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Zhang X, Zheng W, Shao W, Yu W, Yang Y, Qin F, Zhou W, Gong C, Hu X. Environmental concentrations of microplastic-induced gut microbiota and metabolite disruption in silkworm, Bombyx mori. Chemosphere 2024; 358:142126. [PMID: 38677612 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142126] [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: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) existing extensively in various ecosystems can be ingested by marine organisms and enter the food chain, resulting the health risks from the presence of MPs in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. In the present study, an ideal model for Lepidoptera, the silkworm, Bombyx mori, was exposed to environmental concentrations (0.125 μg, 0.25 μg or 0.5 μg/diet) of MPs for 5 days, and the global changes in gut microbes and metabolites were subsequently examined via 16S rDNA sequencing and GC‒MS-based metabolomics. The results showed that MPs exposure did not seriously threaten survival but may regulate signaling pathways involved in development and cocoon production. MPs exposure induced gut microbiota perturbation according to the indices of α-diversity and β-diversity, and the functional prediction of the altered microbiome and associated metabolites demonstrated the potential roles of the altered microbiome following MPs exposure in the metabolic and physiological states of silkworm. The metabolites markedly altered following MPs exposure may play vital biological roles in energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, xenobiotic detoxification and the immune system by directly or indirectly affecting the physiological state of silkworms. These findings contribute to assessing the health risks of MPs exposure in model insects and provide novel insight into the toxicity mechanism of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Life Science, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Wenwen Zheng
- School of Chemistry and Life Science, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Wenjing Shao
- School of Chemistry and Life Science, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Wenbin Yu
- School of Chemistry and Life Science, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Yu Yang
- School of Chemistry and Life Science, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Fenju Qin
- School of Chemistry and Life Science, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Wenlin Zhou
- Institute of Sericulture and Tea, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Chengliang Gong
- School of Biology & Basic Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Xiaolong Hu
- School of Biology & Basic Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
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Wu J, Li L, Qin D, Chen H, Liu Y, Shen G, Zhao P. Silkworm Hemolymph and Cocoon Metabolomics Reveals Valine Improves Feed Efficiency of Silkworm Artificial Diet. Insects 2024; 15:291. [PMID: 38667421 PMCID: PMC11050563 DOI: 10.3390/insects15040291] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Artificial silkworm diets significantly impact farm profitability. Sustainable cocoon production depends on the continuous improvement of feed efficiency to reduce costs and nutrient losses in the feed. This study used metabolomics to explore the differences in silkworm cocoons and hemolymph under two modes of rearing: an artificial diet and a mulberry-leaf diet. Nine metabolites of silkworm cocoons and hemolymph in the mulberry-leaf group were higher than those in the artificial-diet group. Enrichment analysis of the KEGG pathways for these metabolites revealed that they were mainly enriched in the valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis and degradation pathways. Hence, the artificial silkworm diet was supplemented various concentrations of valine were supplemented to with the aim of examining the impact of valine on their feeding and digestion of the artificial diet. The results indicated that valine addition had no significant effect on feed digestibility in the fifth-instar silkworm. Food intake in the 2% and 4% valine groups was significantly lower than that in the 0% valine group. However, the 2% and 4% valine groups showed significantly improved cocoon-production efficiency, at 11.3% and 25.1% higher, respectively. However, the cocoon-layer-production efficiencies of the 2% and 4% valine groups decreased by 7.7% and 13.9%, respectively. The research confirmed that valine is an effective substance for enhancing the feed efficiency of silkworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxin Wu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Lingyi Li
- Westa College, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Daoyuan Qin
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Han Chen
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yuanlin Liu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Guanwang Shen
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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Zou Y, Wu W, Luo T, Tang Y, Hu H, Ye A, Xu L, Dai F, Tong X. Disruption of Zfh3 abolishes mulberry-specific monophagy in silkworm larvae. Insect Sci 2024. [PMID: 38622976 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13354] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Feeding behavior is critical for insect survival and fitness. Most researchers have explored the molecular basis of feeding behaviors by identifying and elucidating the function of olfactory receptors (ORs) and gustatory receptors (GRs). Other types of genes, such as transcription factors, have rarely been investigated, and little is known about their potential roles. The silkworm (Bombyx mori) is a well-studied monophagic insect which primarily feeds on mulberry leaves, but the genetic basis of its monophagy is still not understood. In this report, we focused on a transcription factor encoded by the Zfh3 gene, which is highly expressed in the silkworm central and peripheral nervous systems, including brain, antenna, and maxilla. To investigate its function, Zfh3 was abrogated using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated protein 9 (Cas9) mutagenesis. Since Zfh3 knockout homozygotes are not viable, we studied feeding behavior in heterozygotes, and found that disruption of Zfh3 affects both gustation and olfaction. Mutant larvae lose preference for mulberry leaves, acquire the ability to consume an expanded range of diets, and exhibit improved adaptation to the M0 artificial diet, which contains no mulberry leaves. These results provide the first demonstration that a transcription factor modulates feeding behaviors in an insect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wentao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tianfu Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuxia Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hai Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Aijun Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lifeng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fangyin Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoling Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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Liu Z, Li C, Yang W, Wu Q, Xiao W, Zhu Y, Wei Q, Dong Z, Zhang G, Lu C, Pan M, Chen P. The Bombyx mori singed Gene Is Involved in the High-Temperature Resistance of Silkworms. Insects 2024; 15:264. [PMID: 38667394 PMCID: PMC11049829 DOI: 10.3390/insects15040264] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Temperature is an important factor in the growth, development, survival, and reproduction of organisms. The high-temperature resistance mechanism of insects may be significant for use in the prevention and control of insect pests. The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is an important Lepidoptera model species for studies on pest control in agriculture and forestry. We identified a gene in B. mori, the B. mori singed (Bmsn) gene, which is involved in the high-temperature resistance of silkworms. Sn proteins are highly conserved among species in many taxonomic groups. The overexpression of the Bmsn gene promoted the proliferation of silkworm cells, reduced oxidation, and reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species under stress. Interfering with the Bmsn gene had the opposite result. We constructed a transgenic B. mori strain that overexpressed the Bmsn gene. The physiological traits of the transgenic strain were significantly improved, and it had stronger high-temperature resistance. The Bmsn gene is involved in the process by which fat bodies respond to high-temperature stress. These findings provide insights into the mechanism of high-temperature resistance of insects and offer a new perspective on agricultural and forestry pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenye Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Cong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Wenyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Qiao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Wenfu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
- Sericultural Research Institute, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Qiongqiong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Zhanqi Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Guizheng Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sericultural Genetic Improvement and Efficient Breeding, Sericulture Technology Promotion Station of Guangxi, Nanning 530007, China;
| | - Cheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Minhui Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Peng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (Z.L.); (C.L.); (W.Y.); (Q.W.); (W.X.); (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (Z.D.); (C.L.)
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Wu S, Tong X, Peng C, Luo J, Zhang C, Lu K, Li C, Ding X, Duan X, Lu Y, Hu H, Tan D, Dai F. The BTB-ZF gene Bm-mamo regulates pigmentation in silkworm caterpillars. eLife 2024; 12:RP90795. [PMID: 38587455 PMCID: PMC11001300 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90795] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The color pattern of insects is one of the most diverse adaptive evolutionary phenotypes. However, the molecular regulation of this color pattern is not fully understood. In this study, we found that the transcription factor Bm-mamo is responsible for black dilute (bd) allele mutations in the silkworm. Bm-mamo belongs to the BTB zinc finger family and is orthologous to mamo in Drosophila melanogaster. This gene has a conserved function in gamete production in Drosophila and silkworms and has evolved a pleiotropic function in the regulation of color patterns in caterpillars. Using RNAi and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology, we showed that Bm-mamo is a repressor of dark melanin patterns in the larval epidermis. Using in vitro binding assays and gene expression profiling in wild-type and mutant larvae, we also showed that Bm-mamo likely regulates the expression of related pigment synthesis and cuticular protein genes in a coordinated manner to mediate its role in color pattern formation. This mechanism is consistent with the dual role of this transcription factor in regulating both the structure and shape of the cuticle and the pigments that are embedded within it. This study provides new insight into the regulation of color patterns as well as into the construction of more complex epidermal features in some insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyuan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Xiaoling Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Chenxing Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Jiangwen Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Chenghao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Kunpeng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Chunlin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Xin Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Xiaohui Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Yaru Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Hai Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Duan Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Fangyin Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
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Miyashita A, Miyauchi M, Tabuchi F. The prospects of automation in drug discovery research using silkworms. Drug Discov Ther 2024:2024.01013. [PMID: 38569832 DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2024.01013] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
We have established several models of infectious diseases in silkworms to explore disease-causing mechanisms and identify new antimicrobial substances. These models involve injecting laboratory-cultured pathogens into silkworms and monitoring their survival over a period of days. The use of silkworms is advantageous because they are cost-effective and raise fewer ethical concerns than mammalian subjects, allowing for larger experimental group sizes. To capitalize on these benefits, there is a growing importance in mechanizing and automating the experimental processes that currently require manual labor. This paper discusses the future of laboratory automation, specifically through the mechanization and automation of silkworm-based experimental procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fumiaki Tabuchi
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo, Japan
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Park JW, Park SK, Jeong CY, Kwon HG, Lee JH, Kang SK, Kim SW, Kim SR. Microbial Community Changes in Silkworms Suspected of Septicemia and Identification of Serratia sp. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3957. [PMID: 38612767 PMCID: PMC11012086 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073957] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Diseases that occur in silkworms include soft rot, hardening disease, digestive diseases, and sepsis. However, research on the causes of bacterial diseases occurring in silkworms and the resulting changes in the microbial community is lacking. Therefore, we examined the morphological characteristics of sepsis and changes in the microbial community between silkworms that exhibit a unique odor and healthy silkworms; thus, we established a relationship between disease-causing microorganisms and sepsis. After producing a 16S rRNA amplicon library for samples showing sepsis, we obtained information on the microbial community present in silkworms using next-generation sequencing. Compared to that in healthy silkworms, in silkworms with sepsis, the abundance of the Firmicutes phylum was significantly reduced, while that of Proteobacteria was increased. Serratia sp. was dominant in silkworms with sepsis. After bacterial isolation, identification, and reinfection through the oral cavity, we confirmed this organism as the disease-causing agent; its mortality rate was 1.8 times higher than that caused by Serratia marcescens. In summary, we identified a new causative bacterium of silkworm sepsis through microbial community analysis and confirmed that the microbial community balance was disrupted by the aberrant proliferation of certain bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Woo Park
- Department of Agricultural Biology, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Wanju-gun, Jeonju 55365, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea; (S.K.P.); (C.Y.J.); (H.G.K.); (J.H.L.); (S.K.K.); (S.-W.K.); (S.-R.K.)
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8
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Zhang W, Wang H, Wu T, Gao X, Shang Y, Zhang Z, Liu X, Li Y. A SARS-CoV-2 Nanobody Displayed on the Surface of Human Ferritin with High Neutralization Activity. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:2429-2440. [PMID: 38476285 PMCID: PMC10929646 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s450829] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose COVID-19 is rampant throughout the world, which has caused great damage to human lives and seriously hindered the development of the global economy. Aiming at the treatment of SARS-CoV-2, in this study, we proposed a novel fenobody strategy based on ferritin (Fe) self-assembly technology. Methods The neutralizing nanobody H11-D4 of SARS-CoV-2 fused to the C-terminus of end-modified human ferritin was expressed in E. coli and silkworm baculovirus expression systems. A large number of nanoparticles were successfully self-assembled in silkworms, while relatively few nanoparticles can be observed in the treated products from E. coli by electron microscopy. Subsequently, the fenobody's expression level and neutralizing activity were then evaluated. Results The results showed that the IC50 of H11-D4 and fenobody Fe-H11-D4 expressed in E. coli were 171.1 nmol L-1 and 20.87 nmol L-1, respectively. However, the IC50 of Fe-HD11-D4 expressed in silkworms was 1.46 nmol L-1 showing better neutralization activity. Conclusion Therefore, fenobodies can be well self-assembled in silkworm baculovirus expression system, and ferritin self-assembly technology can effectively improve nanobody neutralization activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenrong Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haining Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tong Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xintao Gao
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuting Shang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhifang Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xingjian Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yinü Li
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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9
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Sun H, Chen J, Wang R, Liu D, Zhang N, Zhang T, Jia L, Ma S, Xia Q. Genome-wide CRISPR screening reveals key genes and pathways associated with 20-hydroxyecdysone signal transduction in the silkworm (Bombyx mori). Insect Sci 2024; 31:47-58. [PMID: 37368860 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13237] [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: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Metamorphosis is a complex developmental process involving multiple pathways and a large number of genes that are regulated by juvenile hormone (JH) and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). Despite important progress in understanding various aspects of silkworm biology, the hormone signaling pathway in the silkworm remains poorly understood. Genome-wide screening using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) / CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)-based libraries has recently emerged as a novel method for analyzing genome function, enabling further research into essential genes, drug targets, and virus-host interaction. Previously, we constructed a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9-based library of the silkworm (Bombyx mori) and successfully revealed the genes involved in biotic or abiotic stress factor responses. In this study, we used our silkworm CRISPR library and large-scale genome-wide screening to analyze the key genes in the silkworm 20E signaling pathway and their mechanisms of action. Functional annotation showed that 20E regulates key proteins in processes that mainly occur in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that 20E can activate phosphorylation and may affect innate immunity, interfere with intracellular nutrition and energy metabolism, and eventually cause cell apoptosis. The screening results were experimentally validated by generating cells with knockout alleles of the relevant genes, which had increased tolerance to 20E. Our findings provide a panoramic overview of signaling in response to 20E in the silkworm, underscoring the utility of genome-wide CRISPR mutant libraries in deciphering hormone signaling pathways and the mechanisms that regulate metamorphosis in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jingya Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ruolin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Na Zhang
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ling Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Sanyuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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10
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Sun L, Sun B, Chen L, Ge Q, Chen K. Identification of genes associated with the silk gland size using multi-omics in silkworm (Bombyx mori). Insect Mol Biol 2024; 33:1-16. [PMID: 37676698 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12870] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Silk gland size in silkworms (Bombyx mori) affects silk output. However, the molecular mechanisms by which genes regulate silk gland size remain unclear. In this study, silk glands from three pure silkworm strains (A798, A306 and XH) with different silk gland weight phenotypes were compared using transcriptomics and proteomics to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and proteins (DEPs). When comparing A798 to A306 and A798 to XH, 830 and 469 DEGs were up-regulated, respectively. These genes were related to the gene ontology terms, metabolic process, transport activity and biosynthesis process. In addition, 372 and 302 up-regulated differentially expressed proteins were detected in A798 to A306 and A798 to XH, respectively, related to the gene ontology terms, ribosome and protein export, ribosome and polypeptide biosynthesis processes. Moreover, combined transcriptomics, proteomics and weighted correlation network analyses showed that five genes (BGIBMGA002524, BGIBMGA002629, BGIBMGA005659, BGIBMGA005711 and BGIBMGA010889) were significantly associated with the silk gland weight. Reverse Transcription-quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) and Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to verify the mRNA and protein expression of five genes in the silk glands and tissues of 18 silkworm strains. The results showed that four genes have higher expression levels in heavier silk glands. These genes are associated with glycogen metabolism, fatty acid synthesis and branched chain amino acid metabolism, thus potentially promoting growth and silk protein synthesis. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the relationship between silk gland weight and silk yield in silkworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindan Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Binbin Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Liang Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Qi Ge
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Keping Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
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11
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Hou J, Tan C, Chen N, Zhou Y, Huang S, Chen H, Qian L. Establishment of diabetes mellitus model using Bombyx mori silkworms in a low-temperature environment. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol 2024; 115:e22083. [PMID: 38288495 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22083] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Due to the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus, researchers have conducted numerous experimental animal studies. However, the mammalian diabetes model is cumbersome and expensive to operate, while the cheap and simple common silkworm diabetes model has the disadvantage of a short cycle time. Since the growth of silkworms is greatly affected by environmental factors, we extended the five-age cycle of silkworms by lowering the ambient temperature to establish a novel low-temperature silkworm diabetes model. Our goal was to determine whether the low-temperature feeding of a high-sugar diet to silkworms could serve as an effective animal model for diabetes. Also, we aimed to resolve certain issues concerning the normal temperature silkworm diabetes model, such as the short time frame for experiments and erratic fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Silkworms weighing between 0.9 and 1.0 g at the beginning of the fifth instar were selected, and we created diabetic silkworms by feeding mulberry leaves containing 4% glucose daily in a 16-20°C environment. When the silkworms were kept at a cooler temperature, the fifth instar stage lasted for an additional 9-11 days. In the model group, 83.3% of the silkworms had blood glucose levels greater than 7.8 mmol/L, while the total prevalence of diabetic silkworms was 89.8%. Moreover, JNK phosphorylation expression rose in the model group, while PI3K expression fell. Additionally, the JNK and PI3K signaling pathway expressions matched diabetic signals. Therefore, using silkworms to create a diabetes model in a cool environment is a straightforward and cost-effective approach to studying diabetes in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Hou
- School of Pharmacy, Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Cheng Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Nan Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Drug and Food Vocational College, Guangxi Vocational University of Agriculture, Nanning, China
| | - Shaojun Huang
- Drug and Food Vocational College, Guangxi Vocational University of Agriculture, Nanning, China
| | - Huani Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Li Qian
- School of Pharmacy, Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise, China
- Drug and Food Vocational College, Guangxi Vocational University of Agriculture, Nanning, China
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12
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Matsumoto Y, Eshima S, Kurakado S, Sugita T. A Silkworm Infection Model for Evaluating In Vivo Biofilm Formation by Pathogenic Fungi. Med Mycol J 2024; 65:7-12. [PMID: 38417885 DOI: 10.3314/mmj.24.001] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Experimental animal models are necessary for research on infectious diseases. Generally, mammalian animals, such as mice, are used for infection experiments. However, there are ethical issues associated with conducting infection experiments in mammals. This has made it difficult to perform infection experiments with a large number of individuals. The invertebrate silkworm, Bombyx mori, is gaining attention as a model animal for infection experiments, and silkworm infection models with various pathogens have been established. This review provides information on the use of silkworm infection models for fungal infection research and evaluation of in vivo biofilm formation by pathogenic fungi using a novel silkworm experimental system. Various silkworm infection models with pathogenic fungi have been used for the development of antifungal drugs and the identification of fungal virulence-related genes. Furthermore, a catheter-material-inserted silkworm infection model was established to evaluate biofilm formation in vivo. Silkworm infection models have contributed to research on fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sanae Kurakado
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University
| | - Takashi Sugita
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University
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13
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Andoh V, Shi W, Ma S, Chen K, Yu Q. Cytotoxicity of AuCu-Cu 2S Nanocomposites: Implications for Biological Evaluation of the Nanocomposite Effect on Bombyx mori Silkworms and Cell Lines. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:6745-6758. [PMID: 37956306 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01402] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
AuCu-Cu2S nanocomposites are unique materials with exceptional properties that have recently received a lot of interest. However, little is known about their potential toxicity in terrestrial organisms and their subsequent effects on the environment. Therefore, it is essential to develop effective methodologies for evaluating AuCu-Cu2S nanocomposites in biological systems. This study reports the biological evaluation of the AuCu-Cu2S nanocomposite from animal and cell entity levels. The Bombyx mori silkworm was used as a model organism to study the effects of different concentrations of AuCu-Cu2S on silkworm development. Transcriptome analysis was also carried out to examine the genetic modulation exerted by the treatment. Moreover, biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of AuCu-Cu2S were evaluated in human bronchial epithelial cells 16HBE, human lung adenocarcinoma, and the insect Spodoptera frugiperda cell sf9 cell lines. The results showed that although AuCu-Cu2S at ≤400 ppm can prolong the eating habit of silkworms and promote the weight of the cocoon layer, there was an increase in silkworm mortality and a decrease in moth formation at a concentration of ≥800 ppm. The genetic regulation by AuCu-Cu2S treatment showed varying effects in the silkworm, primarily related to functions such as transport and catabolism, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, xenobiotic biodegradation, amino acid, and carbohydrate. 16HBE, PC-9, and sf9 treated with 300 ppm of AuCu-Cu2S showed viability percentages of 60, 20, and 90%, respectively. Thus, AuCu-Cu2S at low concentrations serves as a safe and biocompatible material for the sf9 cell lines but is lethal to 16HBE and PC-9. This research could aid in understanding the biological effects and biocompatibility of AuCu-Cu2S nanocomposites, particularly in the field of biochemistry; however, the mechanisms involved need further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Andoh
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, PR China
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, PR China
| | - Wenhui Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, PR China
| | - Shangshang Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, PR China
| | - Keping Chen
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, PR China
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, PR China
| | - Qian Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, PR China
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14
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Wang W, Ji L, Jing X, Zhao P, Xia Q. MicroRNA let-7 targets BmCDK1 to regulate cell proliferation and endomitosis of silk gland in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Insect Sci 2023. [PMID: 38053466 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13302] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs play critical roles in multiple developmental processes in insects. Our previous study showed that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock down of the microRNA let-7 in silkworms increased the size of larvae and silk glands, thereby improving the silk production capacity. In this study, we elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying of let-7 regulates growth. Identification of differentially expressed genes in response to let-7 knock down revealed enrichment of pathways associated with cell proliferation and DNA replication. let-7 dysregulation affected the cell cycle and proliferation of the Bombyx mori cell line BmN. Dual-luciferase and target site mutation assays showed that BmCDK1 is a direct target gene of let-7, with only 1 binding site on its 3'-untranslated region. RNA interference of BmCDK1 inhibited cell proliferation, but this effect was counteracted by co-transfection with let-7 antagomir. Moreover, let-7 knock down induced BmCDK1 expression and promoted cell proliferation in multiple tissues, and further induced endomitosis in the silk gland in vivo. Knock down of BmCDK1 resulted in abnormal formation of a new epidermis, and larval development was arrested at the 2nd or 3rd molt stage. Taken together, our results demonstrated that BmCDK1 is a novel target of let-7 in cell fate determination, possessing potential for improving silk yield in silkworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Sericultural and Functional Genome and Biotechnology, Development and Reform Commission, Chongqing, China
| | - Linshengzhe Ji
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinyuan Jing
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Sericultural and Functional Genome and Biotechnology, Development and Reform Commission, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, China
- Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Sericultural and Functional Genome and Biotechnology, Development and Reform Commission, Chongqing, China
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15
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Peng M, Wang G, Zhu S. Cold-stored mulberry leaves affect antioxidant system and silk proteins of silkworm (Bombyx mori) larva. J Sci Food Agric 2023; 103:7673-7682. [PMID: 37431698 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.12849] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cold storage has been widely used to maintain the quality of vegetables, but whether eating cold-stored vegetables affects health remains unknown. RESULTS This study used silkworms as an animal model to evaluate the effects of nutrient changes in cold-stored mulberry leaves (CSML) on health. Compared with fresh mulberry leaves (FML), CSML contained lower vitamin C, soluble sugars and proteins, and higher H2 O2 , suggesting decreased antioxidant ability and nutrition. The CSML did not obviously affect larval survival rate, body weight or dry matter rate, cocoon shape, weight and size, or final rates of cluster and cocooning relative to the FML, suggesting CSML did not alter overall growth and development. However, the CSML increased the initial rates of cluster and cocooning and upregulated BmRpd3, suggesting CSML shortened larval lifespan and enhanced senescence. CSML upregulated BmNOX4, downregulated BmCAT, BmSOD and BmGSH-Px and increased H2 O2 in silkworms, suggesting CSML caused oxidative stress. CSML upregulated ecdysone biosynthesis and inactivation genes and elevated ecdysone concentration in silkworms, suggesting that CSML affected hormone homeostasis. CSML upregulated apoptosis-related genes, downregulated sericin and silk fibroin genes and decreased sericin content rate in silkworms, suggesting oxidative stress and protein deficiency. CONCLUSION Cold storage reduced nutrition and antioxidant capability of mulberry leaves. CSML did not influence growth and development of silkworm larva, but affected health by causing oxidative stress and reducing protein synthesis. The findings show that the ingredient changes in CSML had negative effects on health of silkworms. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables, Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guang Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables, Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shijiang Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Postharvest Science of Fruits and Vegetables, Engineering Research Center of Southern Horticultural Products Preservation, Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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16
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Li T, Wang G, He W, Li G, Wang C, Zhao J, Chen P, Guo M, Chen P. A secreted phospholipase A 2 (BmsPLA 2 ) regulates melanization of immunity through BmDDC in the silkworm Bombyx mori. Insect Sci 2023; 30:1579-1594. [PMID: 36924440 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13194] [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: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Insect immune-associated phospholipase A2 (PLA2 ) is an important target of pathogen invasion. Melanization, an effective defense response, has significant correlations with other immune responses to coordinate immune attack against invaders. However, the effect of PLA2 on melanization has not yet been reported in insects or other arthropods. In this work, we cloned a PLA2 gene (BmsPLA2 ), and its protein had characteristic features of secreted PLA2 (sPLA2 ). After injection of bacteria, BmsPLA2 expression and sPLA2 activity in hemolymph significantly increased. BmsPLA2 fluorescence was transferred from the cytoplasm to the cell membranes of circulating hemocytes. These results indicated that BmsPLA2 was related to hemolymph immunity in silkworms. Interestingly, reducing BmsPLA2 by RNA interference decreased melanosis (melanistic hemocytes) levels in vivo and in vitro, while BmsPLA2 overexpression had the opposite effect. The larval survival and melanization rate in the hemocoel both slowed depending on the PLA2 inhibitor dosage. These results demonstrated that BmsPLA2 plays a role in melanization during the immune process of silkworms. Surprisingly, the level of BmDDC matched the degree of melanization in various observations. BmDDC expression showed a significant increase, with the peak occurring later than that of BmsPLA2 after injection of bacteria, implying that BmsPLA2 was activated prior to BmDDC. Moreover, the alteration of BmsPLA2 by RNA interference or overexpression led to altered BmDDC levels. These results suggested that BmsPLA2 regulates the melanization response in silkworms through BmDDC. Our study proposes a new regulatory mechanism of the melanization response and new directions for understanding the complex immune networks of insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Li
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Gemin Wang
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei He
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guiqin Li
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chunyang Wang
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiamei Zhao
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Pan Chen
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Meiwei Guo
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Chen
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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17
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Liu X, Zhang Z, Hu B, Chen K, Yu Y, Xiang H, Tan A. Single-cell transcriptomes provide insights into expansion of glial cells in Bombyx mori. Insect Sci 2023. [PMID: 37984500 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13294] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The diversity of cell types in the brain and how these change during different developmental stages, remains largely unknown. The life cycle of insects is short and goes through 4 distinct stages including embryonic, larval, pupal, and adult stages. During postembryonic life, the larval brain transforms into a mature adult version after metamorphosis. The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is a lepidopteran model insect. Here, we characterized the brain cell repertoire of larval and adult B. mori by obtaining 50 708 single-cell transcriptomes. Seventeen and 12 cell clusters from larval and adult brains were assigned based on marker genes, respectively. Identified cell types include Kenyon cells, optic lobe cells, monoaminergic neurons, surface glia, and astrocyte glia. We further assessed the cell type compositions of larval and adult brains. We found that the transition from larva to adult resulted in great expansion of glial cells. The glial cell accounted for 49.8% of adult midbrain cells. Compared to flies and ants, the mushroom body kenyon cell is insufficient in B. mori, which accounts for 5.4% and 3.6% in larval and adult brains, respectively. Analysis of neuropeptide expression showed that the abundance and specificity of expression varied among individual neuropeptides. Intriguingly, we found that ion transport peptide was specifically expressed in glial cells of larval and adult brains. The cell atlas dataset provides an important resource to explore cell diversity, neural circuits and genetic profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zhongjie Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Bo Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ye Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hui Xiang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology and School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Anjiang Tan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
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18
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Kurakado S, Matsumoto Y, Sugita T. Comparing the virulence of four major clades of Candida auris strains using a silkworm infection model: Clade IV isolates had higher virulence than the other clades. Med Mycol 2023; 61:myad108. [PMID: 37898558 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad108] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is an emerging fungal pathogen that is feared to spread of infection because of its propensity for multidrug resistance and high mortality rate. This pathogenic yeast is classified into four major clades by phylogenetic analyses, which are referred to the South Asia clade (clade I), East Asia clade (clade II), South Africa clade (clade III), and South America clade (clade IV), based on the location of the initial isolate. In this study, we evaluated the virulence of C. auris strains belonging to four major clades and the therapeutic effects of micafungin in a silkworm infection model. The highest mortality rate at 21 h after C. auris inoculation was observed for strains from clade IV (80% or more). In contrast, it was 20% or less in those from other clades. Antifungal susceptibility tests indicated resistance to fluconazole and sensitivity to echinocandins in the blood-derived strains. Micafungin prolonged the survival of blood-derived C. auris infected silkworms. These results suggest that the silkworm infection model is useful for evaluating the virulence of C. auris and determining its therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanae Kurakado
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, 2-522-1, Noshio, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-8588, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Matsumoto
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, 2-522-1, Noshio, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-8588, Japan
| | - Takashi Sugita
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, 2-522-1, Noshio, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-8588, Japan
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19
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Kasa M, Jolapuram S, Lima A, Didugu BGL, Poosapati JR, Mamillapalli A. Bivoltine cocoon color sex-limited breeds of Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) show enhanced economic performance and fecundity following spermidine supplementation. J Econ Entomol 2023; 116:1679-1688. [PMID: 37467486 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toad126] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Sericulture has immense economic significance. Separating male and female silkworm pupae for egg production in grainage is a laborious task; hence, sex-limited breeds for cocoon color are advantageous for this process. The major constraint in sex-limited breeds is their low fecundity. Sex-limited female moths lay a lower number of eggs than nonsex-limited breeds. Polyamine, spermidine was shown to improve fecundity in several organisms, including the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. In the present study, cocoon color sex-limited breeds, HTO2SL, APS27SL, and SLFC27, were selected and fed with spermidine to improve fecundity and nutritional efficiency. The fifth-instar silkworm larvae of the selected breeds were subjected to standard rearing conditions with and without spermidine supplementation up to spinning. The spermidine-supplemented sex-limited breeds exhibited a significant increase in fecundity, nutritional indices, and economic parameters compared with the control sex-limited breeds. Among the 3 sex-limited breeds tested, the performance of APS27SL improved significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhavi Kasa
- Bivoltine Silkworm Breeding Laboratory, Andhra Pradesh State Sericulture Research and Development Institute, Kirikera-515 211, Hindupur, AP, India
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530 045, AP, India
| | - Seetharamulu Jolapuram
- Bivoltine Silkworm Breeding Laboratory, Andhra Pradesh State Sericulture Research and Development Institute, Kirikera-515 211, Hindupur, AP, India
| | - Anugata Lima
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530 045, AP, India
| | - Brinda Goda Lakshmi Didugu
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530 045, AP, India
| | - Jagannatha Raju Poosapati
- Bivoltine Silkworm Breeding Laboratory, Andhra Pradesh State Sericulture Research and Development Institute, Kirikera-515 211, Hindupur, AP, India
| | - Anitha Mamillapalli
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530 045, AP, India
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Takasu Y, Yamada N, Kojima K, Iga M, Yukuhiro F, Iizuka T, Yoshioka T. Fibroin heavy chain gene replacement with a highly ordered synthetic repeat sequence in Bombyx mori. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 161:104002. [PMID: 37657611 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104002] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
The exceptional quality of silkworm silk is attributed to the amino acid sequence of its fibroin heavy chain (Fib-H) protein. The large central domain of Fib-H, which consists of glycine- and alanine-rich crystalline regions interspersed with amorphous motifs of approximately 30 amino acid residues, is considered crucial for fibrilization and determines the properties of the silk fiber. We established a technical platform to modify the Fib-H core region systematically using transcription activator-like effector nuclease-mediated homologous recombination through a somatic and germline gene knockin assay along with PCR-based screening. This efficient knockin system was used to generate a silkworm strain carrying a mutant Fib-H allele, in which the core region was replaced with a highly ordered synthetic repeat sequence of a length comparable with native Fib-H core. Heterozygous knockin mutants produced seemingly normal cocoons, whereas homozygotes did not and exhibited considerable degradation in their posterior silk glands (PSGs). Cross-sectional examination of the PSG lumen and tensile tests conducted on reeled silk threads indicated that the mutant Fib-H, which exhibited reduced stability in the PSG cells and lumen, affected the mechanical properties of the fiber. Thus, sequence manipulation of the Fib-H core domain was identified as a crucial step in successfully creating artificial silk using knockin technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Takasu
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8634, Japan.
| | - Nobuto Yamada
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8634, Japan
| | - Katsura Kojima
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8634, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Iga
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8634, Japan
| | - Fumiko Yukuhiro
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8634, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Iizuka
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8634, Japan
| | - Taiyo Yoshioka
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8634, Japan
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21
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Park JS, Kim SW, Park JW, Kim KY, Kim SR, Kwak W, Kim I. Molecular diagnosis of 5 silkworm strains endemic to South Korea using single-nucleotide polymorphisms selected from whole-genome sequences. J Insect Sci 2023; 23:17. [PMID: 37804503 PMCID: PMC10560003 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iead088] [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: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), often poses a challenge in strain identification due to similarities in morphology and genetic background. In South Korea, around 40 silkworm strains are classified as premium, including 5 endemic tri-molting strains: Goryeosammyeon, Sammyeonhonghoeback, Hansammyeon, Sun7ho, and Sandongsammyeon. These strains have potential for breeding programs in response to emerging industry demands, necessitating a reliable strain identification method. In this study, we established a molecular diagnosis approach for these 5 strains. We selected 2-4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for each strain from whole-genome sequences of 39 strains, encompassing 37 previously studied and 2 newly added. These SNPs were utilized to construct decision trees for each endemic strain identification. The SNPs can be used to distinguish each target strain from the 38 nontarget strains by the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction, with the exception of HMS which needs the addition of PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method at the final step. This decision tree-based method using genomic SNPs, coupled with the 2 typing methods, produced consistent and accurate results, providing 100% accuracy. Additionally, the significant number of remaining SNPs identified in this study could be valuable for future diagnosis of the other strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Sun Park
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Wan Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Woo Park
- Department of Agricultural Biology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - Kee-Young Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Ryul Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - Woori Kwak
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Republic of Korea
| | - Iksoo Kim
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
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22
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Majima H, Arai T, Kamei K, Watanabe A. In vivo efficacy of pitavastatin combined with itraconazole against Aspergillus fumigatus in silkworm models. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0266623. [PMID: 37655910 PMCID: PMC10581172 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02666-23] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus is a worldwide concern and new antifungal drugs are required to overcome this problem. Statin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, has been reported to suppress the growth of A. fumigatus, but little is known about its in vivo antifungal effect against A. fumigatus. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo efficacy of pitavastatin (PIT) combined with itraconazole (ITC) against azole-susceptible and azole-resistant strains with silkworm models. Prolongation of survival was confirmed in the combination-therapy (PIT and ITC) group compared to the no-treatment group in both azole-susceptible and azole-resistant strain models. Furthermore, when the azole-susceptible strain was used, the combination-therapy resulted in a higher survival rate than with ITC alone. Histopathological analysis of the silkworms revealed a reduction of the hyphal amount in both azole-susceptible and azole-resistant strain models. Quantitative evaluation of fungal DNA by qPCR in azole-susceptible strain models clarified the reduction of fungal burden in the combination-therapy group compared with the no-treatment group and ITC-alone group. These results indicate that the efficacy of PIT was enhanced when combined with ITC in vivo. As opposed to most statins, PIT has little drug-drug interaction with azoles in humans and can be used safely with ITC. This combination therapy may be a promising option as an effective treatment in clinical settings in the future. IMPORTANCE Azole resistance among A. fumigatus isolates has recently been increasingly recognized as a cause of treatment failure, and alternative antifungal therapies are required to overcome this problem. Our study shows the in vivo efficacy of PIT combined with ITC against A. fumigatus using silkworm models by several methods including evaluation of survival rates, histopathological analysis, and assessment of fungal burden. Contrary to most statins, PIT can be safely administered with azoles because of less drug-drug interactions, so this study should help us to verify how to make use of the drug in clinical settings in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidetaka Majima
- Division of Clinical Research, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Teppei Arai
- Division of Clinical Research, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Kamei
- Department of Infectious Disease, Japanese Red Cross Ishinomaki Hospital, Ishinomaki, Japan
- Division of Infection Control and Prevention, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Akira Watanabe
- Division of Clinical Research, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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23
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Shu Q, Guo X, Tian C, Wang Y, Zhang X, Cheng J, Li F, Li B. Homeostatic Regulation of the Duox-ROS Defense System: Revelations Based on the Diversity of Gut Bacteria in Silkworms ( Bombyx mori). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12731. [PMID: 37628915 PMCID: PMC10454487 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612731] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The Duox-ROS defense system plays an important role in insect intestinal immunity. To investigate the role of intestinal microbiota in Duox-ROS regulation herein, 16S rRNA sequencing technology was utilized to compare the characteristics of bacterial populations in the midgut of silkworm after different time-periods of treatment with three feeding methods: 1-4 instars artificial diet (AD), 1-4 instars mulberry leaf (ML) and 1-3 instars artificial diet + 4 instar mulberry leaf (TM). The results revealed simple intestinal microbiota in the AD group whilst microbiota were abundant and variable in the ML and TM silkworms. By analyzing the relationship among intestinal pH, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and microorganism composition, it was identified that an acidic intestinal environment inhibited the growth of intestinal microbiota of silkworms, observed concurrently with low ROS content and a high activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, TPX, CAT). Gene expression associated with the Duox-ROS defense system was detected using RT-qPCR and identified to be low in the AD group and significantly higher in the TM group of silkworms. This study provides a new reference for the future improvement of the artificial diet feeding of silkworm and a systematic indicator for the further study of the relationship between changes in the intestinal environment and intestinal microbiota balance caused by dietary alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qilong Shu
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (Q.S.); (X.G.); (C.T.); (Y.W.); (X.Z.); (J.C.); (F.L.)
| | - Xiqian Guo
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (Q.S.); (X.G.); (C.T.); (Y.W.); (X.Z.); (J.C.); (F.L.)
| | - Chao Tian
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (Q.S.); (X.G.); (C.T.); (Y.W.); (X.Z.); (J.C.); (F.L.)
| | - Yuanfei Wang
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (Q.S.); (X.G.); (C.T.); (Y.W.); (X.Z.); (J.C.); (F.L.)
| | - Xiaoxia Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (Q.S.); (X.G.); (C.T.); (Y.W.); (X.Z.); (J.C.); (F.L.)
| | - Jialu Cheng
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (Q.S.); (X.G.); (C.T.); (Y.W.); (X.Z.); (J.C.); (F.L.)
| | - Fanchi Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (Q.S.); (X.G.); (C.T.); (Y.W.); (X.Z.); (J.C.); (F.L.)
- Sericulture Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Bing Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (Q.S.); (X.G.); (C.T.); (Y.W.); (X.Z.); (J.C.); (F.L.)
- Sericulture Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
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24
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Yin X, Zhang Y, Yu D, Li G, Wang X, Wei Y, He C, Liu Y, Li Y, Xu K, Zhang G. Effects of artificial diet rearing during all instars on silk secretion and gene transcription in Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae). J Econ Entomol 2023; 116:1379-1390. [PMID: 37300368 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toad102] [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: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Silkworms (Bombyx mori) reared on artificial diets during all instars have the advantages of simplicity and efficiency, year-round production, and reduced risk of poisoning. However, low silk yield remains a challenge, limiting its industrial application. To address this issue, the spinning behavior, nutrient absorption, and transcriptomics of silkworms were investigated. Compared with silkworms reared on mulberry leaves during all instars, those fed with artificial diets showed significantly lower cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, cocoon shell rate, and silk gland tissue somatic index at the end of the fifth instar (P < 0.01). The spinning duration and crawling distance of silkworms reared on artificial diets were also significantly lower than those reared on mulberry leaves (P < 0.01). Regarding nutrient absorption, the dietary efficiency indexes of silkworms fed with artificial diets were significantly lower than those fed with mulberry leaves, except for the efficiency conversion of digesta to cocoon (P < 0.01). Further RNA-Seq analysis revealed 386 differentially transcribed genes between the 2 groups, with 242 upregulated and 144 downregulated genes. GO enrichment analysis showed that differential transcriptional genes were mainly enriched in organic acid metabolism, oxidation-reduction, and drug catabolism. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that differential transcriptional genes were mainly enriched in genetic information processing and metabolism pathways. Our findings provide new insights into the silk secretion and can serve as a reference for future research and application of silkworms fed with artificial diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingcan Yin
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
| | - Yuli Zhang
- Guangxi Academy of Sericultural Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, China
| | - Dongliang Yu
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
| | - Guoli Li
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
| | - Xilei Wang
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
| | - Yuting Wei
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
| | - Chunhui He
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
| | - Yanwei Liu
- Guangxi Academy of Sericultural Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, China
| | - Yizhe Li
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
| | - Kaizun Xu
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Plant Science Education, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
| | - Guizheng Zhang
- Guangxi Academy of Sericultural Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, China
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25
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Areerat S, Chundang P, Lekcharoensuk C, Patumcharoenpol P, Kovitvadhi A. Insect-based diets (house crickets and mulberry silkworm pupae): A comparison of their effects on canine gut microbiota. Vet World 2023; 16:1627-1635. [PMID: 37766696 PMCID: PMC10521172 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1627-1635] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim The gut microbiome plays an important role in the overall health and well-being of dogs, influencing various physiological processes such as metabolism, nutrient absorption, and immune function. Edible insects are a sustainable and nutritious alternative protein source attracting increasing attention as a potential component of animal feeds, including pet food. However, little is known about the effects of insect-based diets on the gut microbiota of dogs. This study aimed to examine the fecal microbiota of dogs fed a diet that substituted common protein sources (poultry meal) with the house cricket (Acheta domesticus [AD]) or mulberry silkworm pupae (Bombyx mori pupae [BMp]) at different levels. Materials and Methods Fifteen healthy adult mixed-breed dogs were systemically randomized and assigned into each block under a completed randomized block design into the following five experimental dietary groups: control diet, 10% AD, 20% AD, 7% BMp, or 14% BMp for 29 days. The amounts fed to the dogs were based on the daily energy requirement. Fecal samples were collected on days 14 and 29 and analyzed for bacterial community structure using 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene sequencing. Results At the phylum and genus levels, microbiota and their diversity were generally relatively similar among all treatments. The diets containing insects did not significantly alter the major phyla in the gut microbiome of dogs (p > 0.05). A few significant changes were found in the relative abundance of bacterial genera, with the levels of Allobaculum and Turicibacter being reduced in dogs fed a higher level of BMp. In contrast, only a decrease in Turicibacter was found in dogs fed the lower level of AD than the control diet (p < 0.05). Corynebacterium and Lactobacillus levels in the dogs fed 14% BMp were significantly increased compared with those in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest that insect-based diets may slightly alter the gut microbiota of dogs. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which insect-based diets influence the gut microbiota of dogs and the long-term potential health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sathita Areerat
- Graduate Student in Animal Health and Biomedical Science Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Pipatpong Chundang
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Chalermpol Lekcharoensuk
- Department of Companion Animals Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Preecha Patumcharoenpol
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Attawit Kovitvadhi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
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26
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Li Y, Wang X, Dong H, Xia Q, Zhao P. Transcriptomic Analysis of Starvation on the Silkworm Brain. Insects 2023; 14:658. [PMID: 37504664 PMCID: PMC10380768 DOI: 10.3390/insects14070658] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Starvation imposes significant stress on animal survival and development, resulting in organ damage within the organism. The brain, being one of the most vital organs in animals, plays a crucial role in coordinating the physiological functions of other organs. However, performing brain experiments on the human body is challenging. In this work, we selected the silkworm, a model Lepidoptera organism, due to its favorable characteristics. A comprehensive transcriptome analysis was conducted on the brain of silkworm subjected to starvation treatment. The analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed significant alterations in 330 genes following the period of starvation. Through an enrichment analysis, we successfully identified pathways associated with metabolism, hormones, immunity, and diseases. Our findings highlight the transcriptional response of the brain to starvation, providing valuable insights for comprehending the impact of starvation stress in other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Haonan Dong
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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27
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Lin Q, Deng P, Feng T, Ou G, Mou L, Zhang Y. Enantioselectivity of indoxacarb enantiomers in Bombyx mori larvae: toxicity, bioaccumulation and biotransformation. Pest Manag Sci 2023; 79:2353-2364. [PMID: 36797221 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7412] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indoxacarb is a chiral insecticide with excellent insecticidal activity against lepidopterous insects. Because of their enantioselectivity, chiral pesticides' environmental behavior at the enantiomeric level has been highlighted. The chiral stability, enantioselective bioaccumulation, biotransformation behavior of indoxacarb to a non-target insect silkworm are still unclear. RESULTS A chiral analysis method for indoxacarb and its metabolite DCJW in silkworm was developed using liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC/HRMS). In silkworms, the recoveries of indoxacarb and DCJW were 86.06%-104.52% with relative standard deviation (RSD) < 9.01%. The 96-h lethal concentration (LC50 ) values of R-indoxacarb, S-indoxacarb, and enriched S-indoxacarb (2.333 S/1R) were 1.08 × 102 , 1.92, and 6.89 mg a.i. L-1 , respectively, according to the acute toxicity test results. When silkworm larvae were exposed to 1/50 of the LC50 concentration, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) of R-indoxacarb was 0.0296-0.318, and the BCF of S-indoxacarb was 0.0125-0.211. In silkworm larvae, the amount of R-DCJW produced by R-indoxacarb was 0.00610 to 2.34 times that of the parent R-indoxacarb, and the amount of S-DCJW produced by S-indoxacarb was 0.125-36.9 times that of the parent S-indoxacarb. CONCLUSION There was no chiral transition from S-indoxacarb to R-indoxacarb or a transformation from R-indoxacarb to S-indoxacarb. Indoxacarb was preferentially bioaccumulated in silkworm larva, while S-indoxacarb bioconversion into the metabolite S-DCJW was much greater than R-indoxacarb bioconversion into R-DCJW. This study could improve understanding of the indoxacarb accumulation and transformation process in insects, as well as provide more scientific data for indoxacarb environmental and ecological risk assessment. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Lin
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Pengyu Deng
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Tianyou Feng
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Guipeng Ou
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Lianhong Mou
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yuping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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28
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Li Y, Wang X, Xie X, Liu Q, Dong H, Hou Y, Xia Q, Zhao P. Enhanced locomotor behaviour is mediated by activation of tyrosine hydroxylase in the silkworm brain. Insect Mol Biol 2023; 32:251-262. [PMID: 36636859 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12828] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Animal behaviour regulation is a complex process involving many factors, and the nervous system is an essential factor in this process. In many species, pathogens can alter host behaviour by affecting the host's nervous system. An interesting example is that the silkworm shows enhanced locomotor behaviour after being infected with the nucleopolyhedrosis virus. In this study, we analysed the transcriptome of the silkworm brain at different time points after infection and found that various genes related to behaviour regulation changed after infection. In-depth analysis showed that the tyrosine hydroxylase gene might be a key candidate gene, and the content of dopamine, its downstream metabolite, increased significantly in the brain of silkworms infected with the virus. After the injection of tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor into the infected silkworm, the dopamine content in the silkworm brain decreased and the locomotor behaviour caused by the virus was blocked successfully. These results confirm that tyrosine hydroxylase is involved in regulating enhanced locomotor behaviour after virus infection in silkworms. Furthermore, the tyrosine hydroxylase gene was specifically overexpressed in the brain of the silkworm, and the transgenic silkworm was enhanced in locomotor behaviour and foraging behaviour. These results suggest that the tyrosine hydroxylase gene plays a vital role in regulating insect behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoqian Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingsong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Haonan Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yong Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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29
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Makwana P, Rahul K, Ito K, Subhadra B. Diversity of Antimicrobial Peptides in Silkworm. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13051161. [PMID: 37240807 DOI: 10.3390/life13051161] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a phenomenon that the present-day world is witnessing that poses a serious threat to global health. The decline in the development of novel therapeutics over the last couple of decades has exacerbated the situation further. In this scenario, the pursuit of new alternative therapeutics to commonly used antibiotics has gained predominance amongst researchers across the world. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from natural sources have drawn significant interest in the recent years as promising pharmacological substitutes over the conventional antibiotics. The most notable advantage of AMPs is that microorganisms cannot develop resistance to them. Insects represent one of the potential sources of AMPs, which are synthesized as part of an innate immune defence against invading pathogens. AMPs from different insects have been extensively studied, and silkworm is one of them. Diverse classes of AMPs (including attacins, cecropins, defensins, enbocins, gloverins, lebocins and moricins) were identified from silkworm that exhibit antimicrobial property against bacteria, fungi and viruses, indicating their potential therapeutic benefits. This review briefs about the immune responses of silkworm to invading pathogens, the isolation of AMPs from silkworms, AMPs reported in silkworms and their activity against various microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Makwana
- Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, Berhampore, Murshidabad 742101, West Bengal, India
| | - Kamidi Rahul
- Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, Berhampore, Murshidabad 742101, West Bengal, India
| | - Katsuhiko Ito
- Laboratory of Sericultural Science, Department of Science of Biological Production, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu-shi 183-8509, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Bindu Subhadra
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Long Island University, Brookville, New York, NY 11548, USA
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Urbán-Duarte D, Tomita S, Sakai H, Sezutsu H, De La Torre-Sánchez JF, Kainoh Y, Furukawa S, Uchino K. An Effective Chemical Permeabilization of Silkworm Embryos. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10050563. [PMID: 37237633 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10050563] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The lipid layer surrounding the vitelline membrane of insect eggs has a critical role in the waterproofing and desiccation resistance of embryos. However, this lipid layer also prevents the flux of chemicals into the embryos, such as cryoprotectants, which are required for successful cryopreservation. The permeabilization studies of silkworm embryos remain insufficient. Therefore, in this study, we developed a permeabilization method to remove the lipid layer in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, and examined factors affecting the viability of dechorionated embryos, including the types and exposure times of chemicals and embryonic stages. Among the chemicals used, hexane and heptane were effective for permeabilization, whereas Triton X-100 and Tween-80 were less effective. Regarding the embryonic stages, there were significant differences between 160 and 166 h after egg laying (AEL) at 25 °C. Consequently, we found that the treatment of 160 AEL embryos with hexane for 30 s was the best condition for the permeability and viability of embryos, in which over 62% of the permeabilized embryos grew up to the second larval instar and their moths could lay fertilized eggs. Our method can be used for various purposes, including permeability investigations using other chemicals and embryonic cryopreservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Urbán-Duarte
- Centro Nacional de Recursos Genéticos, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Tepatitlán de Morelos 47600, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Shuichiro Tomita
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba 305-8634, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hiroki Sakai
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba 305-8634, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hideki Sezutsu
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba 305-8634, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - José Fernando De La Torre-Sánchez
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Agricultura Familiar, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Ojuelos 47540, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Yooichi Kainoh
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba 305-8572, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Seiichi Furukawa
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba 305-8572, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Keiro Uchino
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba 305-8634, Ibaraki, Japan
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Chen Q, Sun S, Yang X, Yan H, Wang K, Ba X, Wang H. Sublethal Effects of Neonicotinoid Insecticides on the Development, Body Weight and Economic Characteristics of Silkworm. Toxics 2023; 11:toxics11050402. [PMID: 37235217 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11050402] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Silkworm Bombyx mori (L.) (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) is a critical insect for silk producers, but the inappropriate application of insecticides negatively affects the physiology and behavior of silkworms. This study found that the effects of neonicotinoid insecticides applied using two spraying methods on the growth and development of silkworms were different: the median lethal concentration (LC50) values of two pesticides applied using the leaf-dipping method were 0.33 and 0.83 mg L-1 and those of two pesticides applied using the quantitative spraying method were 0.91 and 1.23 mg kg-1. The concentration of pesticides on the mulberry leaves did not decrease after their application using the quantitative spraying method, and a uniform spraying density was observed after the mulberry leaves were air-dried (no liquid) under realistic conditions. We then treated silkworms with the quantitative spraying method and leaf-dipping method. The treatment of silkworm larvae with imidacloprid and thiamethoxam at sublethal concentrations significantly prolonged the development time and significantly decreased the weight and pupation rate, as well as economic indicators of enamel layers and sputum production. Thiamethoxam treatment significantly increased the activities of carboxylesterase (CarE) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). The activity of CarE and GST increased, decreased, and then increased, and the highest activity was detected on the 10th and 12th days. Thiamethoxam exposure significantly elevated the transcription levels of CarE-11, GSTe3 and GSTz2 and induced DNA damage in hemocytes. This study confirmed that the quantitative spray method is more stable than the leaf-dipping method. Moreover, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam treatment affected the economy and indexes of silkworms and induced changes in detoxification enzymes and DNA damage in silkworms. These results provide a basis for understanding the mechanism of the sublethal effects of insecticides on silkworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Chen
- Department of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Shoumin Sun
- Department of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Xiu Yang
- Department of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Haohao Yan
- Department of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Kaiyun Wang
- Department of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Xiucheng Ba
- Agricultural Technology Extension Center of Binzhou, Binzhou 256600, China
| | - Hongyan Wang
- Department of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
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Matsumoto Y, Fukano H, Katano H, Hoshino Y, Sugita T. Histopathological analysis revealed that Mycobacterium abscessus proliferates in the fat bodies of silkworms. Drug Discov Ther 2023; 17:139-143. [PMID: 37045782 DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2023.01014] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacterium abscessus causes chronic skin infections, lung diseases, and systemic or disseminated infections. Although a silkworm infection model with M. abscessus has been established, pathological analysis of the infected silkworms has not been performed. In this study, we performed hematoxylin-eosin and Ziehl-Neelsen staining of silkworms infected with M. abscessus. Four days after infection with M. abscessus, M. abscessus accumulation was observed in the fat bodies of silkworms. The number of viable M. abscessus cells in the fat bodies of the infected silkworms increased over time. These results suggest that M. abscessus proliferates in the fat bodies of the infected silkworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiko Matsumoto
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hanako Fukano
- Department of Mycobacteriology, Leprosy Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Harutaka Katano
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Hoshino
- Department of Mycobacteriology, Leprosy Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Sugita
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo, Japan
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Waizumi R, Tsubota T, Jouraku A, Kuwazaki S, Yokoi K, Iizuka T, Yamamoto K, Sezutsu H. Highly accurate genome assembly of an improved high-yielding silkworm strain, Nichi01. G3 (Bethesda) 2023; 13:jkad044. [PMID: 36814357 PMCID: PMC10085791 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad044] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
The silkworm (Bombyx mori) is an important lepidopteran model insect and an industrial domestic animal traditionally used for silk production. Here, we report the genome assembly of an improved Japanese strain Nichi01, in which the cocoon yield is comparable to that of commercial silkworm strains. The integration of PacBio Sequel II long-read and ddRAD-seq-based high-density genetic linkage map achieved the highest quality genome assembly of silkworms to date; 22 of the 28 pseudomolecules contained telomeric repeats at both ends, and only four gaps were present in the assembly. A total of 452 Mbp of the assembly with an N50 of 16.614 Mbp covered 99.3% of the complete orthologs of the lepidopteran core genes. Although the genome sequence of Nichi01 and that of the previously reported low-yielding tropical strain p50T assured their accuracy in most regions, we corrected several regions, misassembled in p50T, in our assembly. A total of 18,397 proteins were predicted using over 95 Gb of mRNA-seq derived from 10 different organs, covering 96.9% of the complete orthologs of the lepidopteran core genes. The final assembly and annotation files are available in KAIKObase (https://kaikobase.dna.affrc.go.jp/index.html) along with a genome browser and BLAST searching service, which would facilitate further studies and the breeding of silkworms and other insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryusei Waizumi
- Silkworm Research Group, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Takuya Tsubota
- Silkworm Research Group, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Akiya Jouraku
- Silkworm Research Group, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Seigo Kuwazaki
- Silkworm Research Group, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Kakeru Yokoi
- Silkworm Research Group, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Iizuka
- Silkworm Research Group, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Kimiko Yamamoto
- Silkworm Research Group, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Hideki Sezutsu
- Silkworm Research Group, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
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Li J, Deng J, Deng X, Liu L, Zha X. Metabonomic Analysis of Silkworm Midgut Reveals Differences between the Physiological Effects of an Artificial and Mulberry Leaf Diet. Insects 2023; 14:347. [PMID: 37103160 PMCID: PMC10146990 DOI: 10.3390/insects14040347] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Bombyx mori is a model lepidopteran insect of great economic value. Mulberry leaves are its only natural food source. The development of artificial diets can not only resolve the seasonal shortage of mulberry leaves but also enable changes to be made to the feed composition according to need. Metabolomic differences between the midguts of male and female silkworms fed either on fresh mulberry leaves or an artificial diet were studied using liquid chromatography-mass spectrography (LC-MS/MS) analysis. A total of 758 differential metabolites were identified. Our analysis showed that they were mainly involved in disease resistance and immunity, silk quality, and silkworm growth and development. These experimental results provide insights into the formulation of optimized artificial feed for silkworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jing Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xuan Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Lianlian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xingfu Zha
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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Morinaga S, Tsubota T, Takasu Y, Sezutsu H, Touhara K. Role of a single odorant receptor in the chemotaxis behavior of Bombyx mori. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2023; 87:646-648. [PMID: 36990645 DOI: 10.1093/bbb/zbad036] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Silkworm (Bombyx mori), an insect herbivore, is attracted to cis-jasmone released from mulberry leaves. Its olfactory receptor, BmOr56, specifically responds to cis-jasmone. In this study, we constructed a BmOr56 deletion line and found that the attractive behavior of cis-jasmone was completely lost in the mutant, suggesting the involvement of a single receptor in this specific chemoattractive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Morinaga
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Tsubota
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yoko Takasu
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hideki Sezutsu
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kazushige Touhara
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, Tokyo, Japan
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Xiao Y, Ren L, Wang Y, Wen H, Ji Y, Li C, Yi Y, Jiang C, Sheng Q, Nie Z, Lu Q, You Z. Biochemical Characterization and Functional Analysis of Glucose Regulated Protein 78 from the Silkworm Bombyx mori. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24. [PMID: 36835371 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The glucose regulated protein (GRP78) is an important chaperone for various environmental and physiological stimulations. Despite the importance of GRP78 in cell survival and tumor progression, the information regarding GRP78 in silkworm Bombyx mori L. is poorly explored. We previously identified that GRP78 expression was significantly upregulated in the silkworm Nd mutation proteome database. Herein, we characterized the GRP78 protein from silkworm B. mori (hereafter, BmGRP78). The identified BmGRP78 protein encoded a 658 amino acid residues protein with a predicted molecular weight of approximately 73 kDa and comprised of two structural domains, a nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) and a substrate-binding domain (SBD). BmGRP78 was ubiquitously expressed in all examined tissues and developmental stages by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis. The purified recombinant BmGRP78 (rBmGRP78) exhibited ATPase activity and could inhibit the aggregating thermolabile model substrates. Heat-induction or Pb/Hg-exposure strongly stimulated the upregulation expression at the translation levels of BmGRP78 in BmN cells, whereas no significant change resulting from BmNPV infection was found. Additionally, heat, Pb, Hg, and BmNPV exposure resulted in the translocation of BmGRP78 into the nucleus. These results lay a foundation for the future identification of the molecular mechanisms related to GRP78 in silkworms.
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Qu H, Chen L, Yang F, Zhu J, Qi C, Peng G. Synthesis of an Environmentally Friendly Modified Mulberry Branch-Derived Biochar Composite: High Degradation Efficiency of BPA and Mitigation of Toxicity in Silkworm Larvae. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043609. [PMID: 36835021 PMCID: PMC9961375 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043609] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, mulberry branch-derived biochar CuO (MBC/CuO) composite was successfully synthesized and used as a catalyst to activate persulfate (PS) for the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA). The MBC/CuO/PS system exhibited a high degradation efficiency (93%) of BPA, under the conditions of 0.1 g/L MBC/CuO, 1.0 mM PS, 10 mg/L BPA. Free radical quenching and electron spin-resonance spectroscopy (ESR) experiments confirmed that both free radicals •OH, SO4•- and O2•- and non-radicals 1O2 were involved in the MBC/CuO reaction system. Cl- and NOM displayed negligible influence on the degradation of BPA, while HCO3- promoted the removal of BPA. In addition, the toxicity tests of BPA, MBC/CuO and the degraded BPA solution were conducted by the 5th instar silkworm larvae. The toxicity of BPA was reduced after the treatment in the MBC/CuO/PS system, and no obvious toxicity of the synthesized MBC/CuO composite was found in the toxicity evaluation experiments. This work provides a new value-added utilization of mulberry branches as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly PS activator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environment of Three Gorges Region of Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
| | - Lin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Fujian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jiangwei Zhu
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Chengdu Qi
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Correspondence: (C.Q.); (G.P.)
| | - Guilong Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Correspondence: (C.Q.); (G.P.)
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Abstract
Silkworm (Bombyx mori) is not only an economic insect but also a model organism for life science research. Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) disease is a major infectious disease in the world's sericulture industry. The cocoon loss caused by this disease accounts for more than 60% of the total loss caused by all silkworm diseases. To date, there has been no effective solution for preventing and treating this disease. The most effective measure is to breed disease-resistant varieties. The quickest way to breed disease-resistant varieties is to apply genetic modification. However, this requires that we obtain disease resistance genes and know the mechanism of disease resistance. Since the discovery of disease-resistant resources in 1989, scholars in the sericulture industry around the world have been inspired to search for resistance genes. In the past two decades, with the help of multi-omics technologies, screening of resistance genes, gene localization, protein modification, virus-host interactions, etc., researchers have found some candidate genes that have been proposed to function at the cellular or individual level. Several disease-resistant varieties have been obtained and used in production through hybrid breeding, RNA interference, and genetic modification. This article summarizes and reviews the discovery of and research advances related to silkworm resistance to BmNPV. It is anticipated that the review will inspire scientific researchers to continue searching for disease resistance genes, clarify the molecular mechanism of silkworm disease resistance, and promote disease-resistant silkworm breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyang Hu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China;
| | - Feifei Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China;
| | - Keping Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China;
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Mahanta DK, Komal J, Samal I, Bhoi TK, Dubey VK, Pradhan K, Nekkanti A, Gouda MNR, Saini V, Negi N, Bhateja S, Jat HK, Jeengar D. Nutritional aspects and dietary benefits of " Silkworms": Current scenario and future outlook. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1121508. [PMID: 36742434 PMCID: PMC9892554 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1121508] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In the current scenario, it is estimated that by 2050, there will be an additional 2.5 billion people and a 70% increase in food demand. Crop yields are not increasing fast enough to support global needs, and world agriculture is facing several serious challenges. Therefore, insects can be a nutritious alternative to meet the ever-increasing food demand in the present and future. The majority of insect consumption occurs in developing countries, with approximately 1,900 insect species consumed worldwide. Food and feed derived from them are of high quality, have a high feed conversion ratio and emit a low level of greenhouse gases. Among insects silkworms are beneficial to humans, not only because of their high nutritional value, but also because of their several pharmacological properties. Silkworm eggs, larvae, and pupae contains high amount of proteins, oils, minerals, vitamins, and several other beneficial components which are nutritious as well as have positive effect on human health. Studies have shown that silkworm pupae protect the liver, enhance immunity, inhibit apoptosis, inhibit cancer, inhibit tumor growth, inhibit microbial growth, regulate blood glucose and blood lipids, and lower blood pressure. This review paper summerized the nutritional value of different life stages of silkworm, nutritional comparison of silkworm with the major human foods, and the effects of silkworm consumption on human health, thus ittargets to generate interest toward in sericulture and improve human health by using silkworm as a nutritious food and attain sustainability in food and nutritional security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Kumar Mahanta
- Department of Entomology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur, Bihar, India
| | - J. Komal
- Department of Entomology, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India
| | - Ipsita Samal
- Department of Entomology, Sri Sri University, Cuttack, Odisha, India
| | - Tanmaya Kumar Bhoi
- Forest Protection Division, ICFRE – Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Vinod Kumar Dubey
- Department of Entomology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur, Bihar, India
| | - Kiranamaya Pradhan
- Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, India
| | - Aarthi Nekkanti
- Department of Entomology, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, India
| | - M. N. Rudra Gouda
- Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Varun Saini
- Department of Seed Science and Technology, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Nikita Negi
- Department of Entomology, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, India
| | - Sheenam Bhateja
- Department of Entomology, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Hansa Kumari Jat
- Department of Entomology, Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapur, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Deepika Jeengar
- Department of Entomology, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India
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Ye J, Li J, Zhao P. The Silkworm Carboxypeptidase Inhibitor Prevents Gastric Cancer Cells' Proliferation through the EGF/EGFR Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021078. [PMID: 36674593 PMCID: PMC9861121 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021078] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is a common malignant tumor originating from the gastric mucosa epithelium. Studies have shown that bioactive substances such as antimicrobial peptides and cantharidin contained in a variety of insects can exert anti-cancer functions; when compared with chemotherapy drugs, these bioactive substances have less toxicity and reduced side effects. Here, we report the first Bombyx mori carboxypeptidase inhibitor that is specifically and highly expressed in silk glands, which can significantly prevent the proliferation of gastric cancer cells by inhibiting the MAPK/ERK pathway initiated by EGF/EGFR through the promotion of expression of the proto-oncogene c-Myc, thereby affecting the expression of related cyclins. Through molecular docking and virtual screening of silkworm carboxypeptidase inhibitors and epidermal growth factor receptors, we identified a polypeptide that overlapped with existing small-molecule inhibitors of the receptor. In the present work, we explore the medicinal potential and application of silkworm carboxypeptidase inhibitors to promote the development of anti-tumor drugs from insect-derived substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhong Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Jifu Li
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-23-6825-0885
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Xu J, Sekiguchi T, Boonyakida J, Kato T, Park EY. Display of multiple proteins on engineered canine parvovirus-like particles expressed in cultured silkworm cells and silkworm larvae. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1096363. [PMID: 36873345 PMCID: PMC9977810 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1096363] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent progress has been made dramatically in decorating virus-like particles (VLPs) on the surface or inside with functional molecules, such as antigens or nucleic acids. However, it is still challenging to display multiple antigens on the surface of VLP to meet the requirement as a practical vaccine candidate. Herein this study, we focus on the expression and engineering of the capsid protein VP2 of canine parvovirus for VLP display in the silkworm-expression system. The chemistry of the SpyTag/SpyCatcher (SpT/SpC) and SnoopTag/SnoopCatcher (SnT/SnC) are efficient protein covalent ligation systems to modify VP2 genetically, where SpyTag/SnoopTag are inserted into the N-terminus or two distinct loop regions (Lx and L2) of VP2. The SpC-EGFP and SnC-mCherry are employed as model proteins to evaluate their binding and display on six SnT/SnC-modified VP2 variants. From a series of protein binding assays between indicated protein partners, we showed that the VP2 variant with SpT inserted at the L2 region significantly enhanced VLP display to 80% compared to 5.4% from N-terminal SpT-fused VP2-derived VLPs. In contrast, the VP2 variant with SpT at the Lx region failed to form VLPs. Moreover, the SpT (Lx)/SnT (L2) double-engineered chimeric VP2 variants showed covalent conjugation capacity to both SpC/SnC protein partners. The orthogonal ligations between those binding partners were confirmed by both mixing purified proteins and co-infecting cultured silkworm cells or larvae with desired recombinant viruses. Our results indicate that a convenient VLP display platform was successfully developed for multiple antigen displays on demand. Further verifications can be performed to assess its capacity for displaying desirable antigens and inducing a robust immune response to targeted pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Xu
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Green Chemistry Research Division, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tomofumi Sekiguchi
- Department of Agriculture, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Jirayu Boonyakida
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Green Chemistry Research Division, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kato
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Green Chemistry Research Division, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan.,Department of Agriculture, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan.,Department of Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Enoch Y Park
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Green Chemistry Research Division, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan.,Department of Agriculture, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan.,Department of Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
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Goto T, Sasaki T, Chong Y, Taniguchi M, Lee JM, Masuda A, Ebihara T, Shiraishi K, Tani N, Yonekawa A, Gondo K, Kuwano H, Shimono N, Ikematsu H, Akashi K, Kusakabe T. SARS-CoV-2 strain-specific anti-spike IgG ELISA utilizing spike protein produced by silkworms. Hum Antibodies 2023; 31:27-33. [PMID: 37458030 DOI: 10.3233/hab-230006] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A cost-effective and eco-friendly method is needed for the assessment of humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in large populations. OBJECTIVE We investigated the performance of an ELISA that uses silkworm-produced proteins to quantify the strain-specific anti-Spike IgG (anti-S IgG) titer. METHODS The OD values for the anti-His-tag antibody, a standard material of ELISA quantification, were measured. Correlations between the ELISA for each strain and the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant assay for the wild type were evaluated with serum samples from nine participants with various infection and vaccination statuses. RESULTS Linear dose-responses were confirmed by high coefficients of determination: 0.994, 0.994, and 0.996 for the wild-type, Delta, and Omicron (BA.1) strain assays, respectively. The coefficient of determination for the wild-type and Delta strain assays was high at 0.959 and 0.892, respectively, while the Omicron strain assay had a relatively low value of 0.563. Booster vaccinees showed similar or higher titers against all strains compared to infected persons without vaccination. The Omicron-infected persons without vaccination had lower antibody titers against wild type than did the vaccinated persons. CONCLUSIONS This study provides data indicating that the ELISA with silkworm-produced proteins makes it possible to discriminate and quantify the strain-specific anti-S IgG antibody induced by vaccination or infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeyuki Goto
- Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences (The First Department of Internal Medicine), Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tomoki Sasaki
- R&D Department, KAICO Ltd, Fukuoka, Japan
- Laboratory of Insect Genome Science, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yong Chong
- Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences (The First Department of Internal Medicine), Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Jae Man Lee
- Laboratory of Creative Science for Insect Industries Laboratory of Insect Genome Science, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Akitsu Masuda
- Laboratory of Creative Science for Insect Industries Laboratory of Insect Genome Science, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takeru Ebihara
- Laboratory of Insect Genome Science, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Shiraishi
- Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences (The First Department of Internal Medicine), Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Naoki Tani
- Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences (The First Department of Internal Medicine), Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Akiko Yonekawa
- Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences (The First Department of Internal Medicine), Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kei Gondo
- COVID-19 Team, Fukuoka City Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Nobuyuki Shimono
- Center for the Study of Global Infection, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Koichi Akashi
- Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences (The First Department of Internal Medicine), Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kusakabe
- Laboratory of Insect Genome Science, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Hamamoto H, Miyashita A, Kamura K, Horie R, Sekimizu K. Silkworm arylsulfatase in the midgut content is expressed in the silk gland and fed via smearing on the food from the spinneret. Drug Discov Ther 2022; 16:280-285. [PMID: 36450504 DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2022.01088] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
We found the activity of arylsulfatase in the midgut contents of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. We identified a 60-kDa protein that comigrates with the activity on a column chromatography following ammonium sulfate precipitation. Based on its partial amino acid sequence, we searched for its coding gene using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) and identified KWMTBOMO05106. Transcriptional data suggest a specific expression of the gene in middle silk glands. The majority (80%) of arylsulfatase activity was found in the silk glands, concurring the specific transcription in the silk gland. Observing the feeding behaviour of the silkworm, we found that silkworms smear a mucus secretes from the spinneret on the food pellet as they feed on. Arylsulfatase activity was also detected in the food pellet bitten by the silkworm as well as in the gut content. Furthermore, arylsulfatase activity was not detected either in the food pellet and in the gut content when silkworms had obstructed the spinneret. These results suggest that arylsulfatase is secreted from the silk glands and may contribute to digestive function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Koushirou Kamura
- Drug Discoveries by Silkworm Models, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryo Horie
- Drug Discoveries by Silkworm Models, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Sekimizu
- Drug Discoveries by Silkworm Models, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
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Zhu K, Chen Y, Chen L, Xiang H. Comparative Silk Transcriptomics Illuminates Distinctive Impact of Artificial Selection in Silkworm Modern Breeding. Insects 2022; 13:1163. [PMID: 36555072 PMCID: PMC9784016 DOI: 10.3390/insects13121163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Early domestication and the following improvement are two important processes in the cocoon silk evolution of silkworms. In contrast to early domestication, understanding of the improvement process is still fuzzy. By systematically comparing the larval silk gland transcriptomes of the wild, early domestic, and improved silkworms, we highlighted a novel landscape of transcriptome in the silk glands of improved ones. We first clarified that silk cocoon protein genes were up-regulated in modern breeding but not in early domestication. Furthermore, we found that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between improved and early domestic silkworms (2711), as well as between improved and wild silkworms (2264), were obviously more than those between the early domestic and wild silkworms (158), with 1671 DEGs specific in the improved silkworm (IS-DEGs). Hierarchical clustering of all the DEGs consistently indicated that improved silkworms were significantly diverged from the early domestic and wild silkworms, suggesting that modern breeding might cause prompt and drastic dynamic changes of gene expression in the silk gland. We further paid attention to these 1671 IS-DEGs and were surprised to find that down-regulated genes were enriched in basic organonitrogen compound biosynthesis, RNA biosynthesis, and ribosome biogenesis processes, which are generally universally expressed, whereas those up-regulated genes were enriched in organonitrogen compound catabolic processes and functions involving in the dynamic regulation of protein post-translation of modification. We finally highlighted one candidate improvement gene among these up-regulated IS-DEGs, i.e., GDAP2, which may play roles in silk behavior and the overall robustness of the improved silkworm. The findings strongly suggest that modern breeding may facilitate effective control of the basic consumption of nitrogen and a stronger switch of nitrogen resources from other tissues to the silk glands, for an efficient supply for silk production, and implies the importance of brain behavior and robustness in silk yield improvement of modern breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kesen Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University , Guangzhou 510631, China
- Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yanfei Chen
- Henry Fok School of Biology and Agriculture, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512000, China
| | - Lei Chen
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Hui Xiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University , Guangzhou 510631, China
- Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, Guangzhou 510642, China
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45
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Zou YL, Ding X, Zhang L, Xu LF, Liang SB, Hu H, Dai FY, Tong XL. Bmmp influences wing morphology by regulating anterior-posterior and proximal-distal axes development. Insect Sci 2022; 29:1569-1582. [PMID: 34986276 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12998] [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: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Insect wings are subject to strong selective pressure, resulting in the evolution of remarkably diverse wing morphologies that largely determine flight capacity. However, the genetic basis and regulatory mechanisms underlying wing size and shape development are not well understood. The silkworm Bombyx mori micropterous (mp) mutant exhibits shortened wing length and enlarged vein spacings, albeit without changes in total wing area. Thus, the mp mutant comprises a valuable genetic resource for studying wing development. In this study, we used molecular mapping to identify the gene responsible for the mp phenotype and designated it Bmmp. Phenotype-causing mutations were identified as indels and single nucleotide polymorphisms in noncoding regions. These mutations resulted in decreased Bmmp messenger RNA levels and changes in transcript isoform composition. Bmmp null mutants were generated by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) / CRISPR-associated protein 9 and exhibited changed wing shape, similar to mp mutants, and significantly smaller total wing area. By examining the expression of genes critical to wing development in wildtype and Bmmp null mutants, we found that Bmmp exerts its function by coordinately modulating anterior-posterior and proximal-distal axes development. We also studied a Drosophila mp mutant and found that Bmmp is functionally conserved in Drosophila. The Drosophila mp mutant strain exhibits curly wings of reduced size and a complete loss of flight capacity. Our results increase our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning insect wing development and reveal potential targets for pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Long Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology;, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs;, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology;, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs;, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology;, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs;, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li-Feng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology;, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs;, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shu-Bo Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology;, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs;, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hai Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology;, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs;, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fang-Yin Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology;, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs;, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Ling Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology;, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs;, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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46
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Kato T, Nishimura K, Misu S, Ikeo K, Park EY. Changes of the gene expression in silkworm larvae and Cordyceps militaris at late stages of the pathogenesis. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol 2022; 111:e21968. [PMID: 36116100 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21968] [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: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cordyceps militaris is an entomopathogenic fungus that forms its fruiting body. The gene expression change in C. militaris and silkworm larvae were analyzed using RNA-seq to investigate the relationship of C. militaris with the host, silkworm larvae before the death by mycosis. At 144 h after the injection of C. militaris conidia, genes encoding proteases, protease inhibitors, and cuticle proteins in the fat body of silkworm larvae were upregulated, but genes encoding lipoproteins and other proteins in hemolymph were downregulated. On the other hand, at 168 h after the injection of C. militaris conidia, genes encoding amino acid and oligopeptide transporters and permeases in C. militaris were upregulated, suggesting that C. militaris may use peptides and amino acids in silkworm larvae as a nutrient to grow in vivo. Additionally, one gene cluster composed of genes putatively involved in the degradation of phenolic substrates was also upregulated. The addition of 4,5-dichlorocatechol, an inhibitor of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, inhibited the in vivo growth of C. militaris, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. These results also suggest that the expression of the gene cluster may be crucial for the in vivo growth of C. militaris and entomopathogenic fungi. This study will clarify how C. militaris grows in insect hosts by avoiding host's immune systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Kato
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Department of Agriculture, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Green Chemistry Research Division, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Konomi Nishimura
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Department of Agriculture, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Sadahiko Misu
- Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Kazuho Ikeo
- Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Enoch Y Park
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Department of Agriculture, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Green Chemistry Research Division, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
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47
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Li C, Xu S, Xiang C, Xu S, Zhou Q, Zhang J. The gut microbiota of silkworm are altered by antibiotic exposure. FEBS Open Bio 2022; 12:2203-2212. [PMID: 36287136 PMCID: PMC9714379 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13502] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, antibiotics have frequently been detected in soil, lakes, and rivers. Antibiotic residues in the environment may alter microbial structure and cause bacterial resistance, but their effect on interactions among host microbiota is still poorly understood. To investigate this issue, here we used silkworm (Bombyx mori) fed on antibiotic-treated mulberry leaf as a model to explore the effects of antibiotic exposure on gut bacteria and fungi. We observed that elimination of fungi significantly reduced bacterial richness and diversity in silkworm intestine after exposure to the antifungal amphotericin B, while the elimination of bacteria dramatically increased the richness and diversity of fungi after exposure to the antibacterial ampicillin-streptomycin. Thus, antibiotic-treated mulberry leaf significantly altered the community structure of microbiota in the gut of silkworm. Clearance of gut bacteria enhanced the correlation between gut fungi and leaf-derived fungi, while clearance of gut fungi promoted abnormal proliferation of gut bacteria. These data provide a simple model to explore the comprehensive effect of diet-derived bacteria, fungi, and antibiotics on gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengxu Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life SciencesNanjing Normal UniversityChina,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Rare and Endangered Animal EcologyGuangxi Normal UniversityGuilinChina
| | - Shuo Xu
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicalChina
| | - Chunjie Xiang
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicalChina
| | - Shixia Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life SciencesNanjing Normal UniversityChina
| | - Qihai Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life SciencesNanjing Normal UniversityChina
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicalChina
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Li GY, Liu XJ, Fang GQ, Yang J, Zhan S, Li MW. Functional characterization of a low-density lipoprotein receptor in the lepidopteran model, Bombyx mori. Insect Sci 2022; 29:1262-1274. [PMID: 35411705 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13018] [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: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The growth and development of metabolous insects are mainly regulated by ecdysone and juvenile hormone. As a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family, megalin (mgl) is involved in the lipoprotein transport of cholesterol which is an essential precursor for the synthesis of ecdysone. Despite extensive studies in mammals, the function of mgl is still largely unknown in insects. In this study, we characterize the function of mgl in the silkworm Bombyx mori, the model species of Lepidoptera. We find that mgl is broadly present in the genomes of lepidopteran species and evolved with divergence between lepidopterans and Drosophila. The expression pattern suggests a ubiquitous role of mgl in the growth and development in the silkworm. We further perform clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) / CRISPR-associated protein 9-based mutagenesis of Bmmgl and find that both the development and the silk production of the silkworm are seriously affected by the disruption of Bmmgl. Our results not only explore the function of mgl in Lepidoptera but also add to our understanding of how cholesterol metabolism is involved in the development of insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Yun Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang-Qi Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Zhan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Mu-Wang Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- The Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
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Xiao R, Yuan Y, Xia H, Ge Q, Chen L, Zhu F, Xu J, Wang X, Fan Y, Wang Q, Yang Y, Chen K. Comparative transcriptome and proteome reveal synergistic functions of differentially expressed genes and proteins implicated in an over-dominant silkworm heterosis of increased silk yield. Insect Mol Biol 2022; 31:551-567. [PMID: 35445454 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12779] [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: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We previously observed an over-dominant silkworm heterosis of increased yield in a cross of Bombyx mori nuclear polyhydrosis virus-resistant strain NB with a susceptible strain 306. In the present study, we found that heterosis also exists in crosses of NB with other susceptible strains, indicating it is a more general phenomenon. We performed comparative transcriptome and proteome and identified 1624 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 298 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in silk glands between parents and F1 hybrids, of which 24 DEGs/DEPs showed consistent expression at mRNA and protein levels revealed by Venn joint analysis. Their expressions are completely non-additive, mainly transgressive and under low-parent, suggesting recombination of parental genomes may be the major genetic mechanism for the heterosis. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that they may function in generally similar but distinctive aspects of metabolisms and processes with signal transduction and translation being most affected. Notably, they may not only up-regulate biosynthesis and transport of silk proteins but also down-regulate other unrelated processes, synergistically and globally remodelling the silk gland to increase yield and cause the heterosis. Our findings contribute insights into the understanding of silkworm heterosis and silk gland development and provide targets for transgenic manipulation to further increase the silk yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xiao
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hengchuan Xia
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qi Ge
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Liang Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feifei Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jia Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xueqi Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yixuan Fan
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanhua Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Keping Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
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Urbanek Krajnc A, Bakonyi T, Ando I, Kurucz E, Solymosi N, Pongrac P, Berčič RL. The Effect of Feeding with Central European Local Mulberry Genotypes on the Development and Health Status of Silkworms and Quality Parameters of Raw Silk. Insects 2022; 13:836. [PMID: 36135536 PMCID: PMC9506520 DOI: 10.3390/insects13090836] [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: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Silkworm rearing activities ceased in the 1970's in several European countries. Attempts on the re-establishment of ecological and sustainable sericulture in Slovenia and Hungary are ongoing. The aim of the study was to assess the usability of locally adapted mulberry genotypes for sericulture and to estimate connections between leaf compound and silkworm performance parameters. A controlled feeding experiment of silkworms was performed to test the influence of leaves from selected trees on the growth of larvae, the health and microbiological status of larvae (e.g., gut bacterial microbiome, Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus infection), weight of cocoons and raw silk parameters. The Slovenian and Hungarian mulberry genotypes had significantly higher total protein contents, and lower total phenolic contents and differed significantly in some individual phenolics compared to the reference sericultural and fruit varieties. Significant differences were found in the contents of the macro- and microelements, namely S, Mn, Fe, and Sr. Based on correlative statistics and multivariate analysis, a combined positive influence of proteins, specific phenolics, and microelements on larval growth and silk thread parameters was predicted. The results of the study indicate that selected local Slovenian and Hungarian mulberry varieties are suitable for high-quality silk cocoon and raw silk production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreja Urbanek Krajnc
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Maribor, Pivola 10, 2311 Hoče, Slovenia
| | - Tamas Bakonyi
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István u. 2, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Istvan Ando
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Center of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 521, H-6701 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Eva Kurucz
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Center of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 521, H-6701 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Norbert Solymosi
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István u. 2, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Paula Pongrac
- Department of Biology, Chair of Botany and Plant Physiology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rebeka Lucijana Berčič
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István u. 2, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary
- Institute for Sericulture, Rebecca Luciana Bercic, Koroška c. 65, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
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