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Cholewiński M, Chowański S, Lubawy J, Urbański A, Walkowiak-Nowicka K, Marciniak P. Short neuropeptide F in integrated insect physiology. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2024; 25:389-409. [PMID: 38725339 PMCID: PMC11087187 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2300355] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The short neuropeptide F (sNPF) family of peptides is a multifunctional group of neurohormones involved in the regulation of various physiological processes in insects. They have been found in a broad spectrum of species, but the number of isoforms in the precursor molecule varies from one to four. The receptor for sNPF (sNPFR), which belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor family, has been characterized in various insect orders and was shown to be an ortholog of the mammalian prolactin-releasing peptide receptor (PrPR). The sNPF signaling pathway interacts with other neurohormones such as insulin-like peptides, SIFamide, and pigment-dispersing factors (PDFs) to regulate various processes. The main physiological function of sNPF seems to be involved in the regulation of feeding, but the observed effects are species-specific. sNPF is also connected with the regulation of foraging behavior and the olfactory system. The influence of sNPF on feeding and thus energy metabolism may also indirectly affect other vital processes, such as reproduction and development. In addition, these neurohormones are involved in the regulation of locomotor activity and circadian rhythm in insects. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about the sNPF system in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Paweł Marciniak
- Department of Animal Physiology and Developmental Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań 61-614, Poland.
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Rouhova L, Zurovcova M, Hradilova M, Sery M, Sehadova H, Zurovec M. Comprehensive analysis of silk proteins and gland compartments in Limnephilus lunatus, a case-making trichopteran. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:472. [PMID: 38745159 PMCID: PMC11092239 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10381-4] [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: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Caddisfly larvae produce silk containing heavy and light fibroins, similar to the silk of Lepidoptera, for the construction of underwater structures. We analyzed the silk of Limnephilus lunatus belonging to the case-forming suborder Integripalpia. We analyzed the transcriptome, mapped the transcripts to a reference genome and identified over 80 proteins using proteomic methods, and checked the specificity of their expression. For comparison, we also analyzed the transcriptome and silk proteome of Limnephilus flavicornis. Our results show that fibroins and adhesives are produced together in the middle and posterior parts of the silk glands, while the anterior part produces enzymes and an unknown protein AT24. The number of silk proteins of L. lunatus far exceeds that of the web-spinning Plectrocnemia conspersa, a previously described species from the suborder Annulipalpia. Our results support the idea of increasing the structural complexity of silk in rigid case builders compared to trap web builders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Rouhova
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Zurovcova
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Miluse Hradilova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Sery
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Sehadova
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Zurovec
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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Asano T. Multicopper oxidase-2 mediated cuticle formation: Its contribution to evolution and success of insects as terrestrial organisms. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 168:104111. [PMID: 38508343 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The insect cuticle is a non-cellular matrix composed of polysaccharide chitins and proteins. The cuticle covers most of the body surface, including the trachea, foregut, and hindgut, and it is the body structure that separates the intraluminal environment from the external environment. The cuticle is essential to sustain their lives, both as a physical barrier to maintain homeostasis and as an exoskeleton that mechanically supports body shape and movement. Previously, we proposed a theory about the possibility that the cuticle-forming system contributes to the "evolution and success of insects." The main points of our theory are that 1) insects evolved an insect-specific system of cuticle formation and 2) the presence of this system may have provided insects with a competitive advantage in the early land ecosystems. The key to this theory is that insects utilize molecular oxygen abundant in the atmosphere, which differs from closely related crustaceans that form their cuticles with calcium ions. With newly obtained knowledge, this review revisits the significance of the insect-specific system for insects to adapt to terrestrial environments and also discusses the long-standing question in entomology as to why, despite their great success in terrestrial environments, they poorly adapt to marine environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsunaki Asano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan, Minami-osawa 1-1, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan.
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Lehmann FO, Gorb S, Moussian B. Spatio-temporal distribution and genetic background of elastic proteins inside the chitin/chitosan matrix of insects including their functional significance for locomotion. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 168:104089. [PMID: 38485097 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104089] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
In insects, cuticle proteins interact with chitin and chitosan of the exoskeleton forming crystalline, amorphic or composite material structures. The biochemical and mechanical composition of the structure defines the cuticle's physical properties and thus how the insect cuticle behaves under mechanical stress. The tissue-specific ratio between chitin and chitosan and its pattern of deacetylation are recognized and interpreted by cuticle proteins depending on their local position in the body. Despite previous research, the assembly of the cuticle composites in time and space including its functional impact is widely unexplored. This review is devoted to the genetics underlying the temporal and spatial distribution of elastic proteins and the potential function of elastic proteins in insects with a focus on Resilin in the fruit fly Drosophila. The potential impact and function of localized patches of elastic proteins is discussed for movements in leg joints, locomotion and damage resistance of the cuticle. We conclude that an interdisciplinary research approach serves as an integral example for the molecular mechanisms of generation and interpretation of the chitin/chitosan matrix, not only in Drosophila but also in other arthropod species, and might help to synthesize artificial material composites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fritz-Olaf Lehmann
- Fritz-Olaf Lehmann, Department of Animal Physiology, University of Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Str. 3, 18059, Rostock, Germany.
| | - Stanislav Gorb
- Stanislav Gorb, Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Bernard Moussian
- Bernard Moussian, Institute Sophia Agrobiotech, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, 38 Av. Emile Henriot, 06000, Nice, France.
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Silva RBV, Coelho Júnior VG, de Paula Mattos Júnior A, Julidori Garcia H, Siqueira Caixeta Nogueira E, Mazzoni TS, Ramos Martins J, Rosatto Moda LM, Barchuk AR. Farnesol, a component of plant-derived honeybee-collected resins, shows JH-like effects in Apis mellifera workers. J Insect Physiol 2024; 154:104627. [PMID: 38373613 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2024.104627] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Farnesol, a sesquiterpene found in all eukaryotes, precursor of juvenile hormone (JH) in insects, is involved in signalling, communication, and antimicrobial defence. Farnesol is a compound of floral volatiles, suggesting its importance in pollination and foraging behaviour. Farnesol is found in the resin of Baccharis dracunculifolia, from which honeybees elaborate the most worldwide marketable propolis. Bees use propolis to seal cracks in the walls, reinforce the wax combs, and as protection against bacteria and fungi. The introduction within a honeybee hive of a compound with potential hormonal activity can be a challenge to the colony survival, mainly because the transition from within-hive to outside activities of workers is controlled by JH. Here, we tested the hypothesis that exogenous farnesol alters the pacing of developing workers. The first assays showed that low doses of the JH precursor (0.1 and 0.01 µg) accelerate pharate-adult development, with high doses being toxic. The second assay was conducted in adult workers and demonstrated bees that received 0.2 µg farnesol showed more agitated behaviour than the control bees. If farnesol was used by corpora allata (CA) cells as a precursor of JH and this hormone was responsible for the observed behavioural alterations, these glands were expected to be larger after the treatment. Our results on CA measurements after 72 h of treatment showed bees that received farnesol had glands doubled in size compared to the control bees (p < 0.05). Additionally, we expected the expression of JH synthesis, JH degradation, and JH-response genes would be upregulated in the treated bees. Our results showed that indeed, the mean transcript levels of these genes were higher in the treated bees (significant for methyl farnesoate epoxidase and juvenile hormone esterase, p < 0.05). These results suggest farnesol is used in honeybees as a precursor of JH, leading to increasing JH titres, and thus modulating the pacing of workers development. This finding has behavioural and ecological implications, since alterations in the dynamics of the physiological changes associated to aging in young honeybees may significantly impact colony balance in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raissa Bayker Vieira Silva
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Valdeci Geraldo Coelho Júnior
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Adolfo de Paula Mattos Júnior
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Henrique Julidori Garcia
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ester Siqueira Caixeta Nogueira
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Talita Sarah Mazzoni
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Juliana Ramos Martins
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lívia Maria Rosatto Moda
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Angel Roberto Barchuk
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Zhang BX, Liu FF, Liu F, Qi WX, Si YQ, Ren HY, Rao XJ. SfMBP: A novel microbial binding protein and pattern recognition receptor in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Dev Comp Immunol 2024; 154:105142. [PMID: 38309673 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2024.105142] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, poses a significant threat as a highly destructive agricultural pest in many countries. Understanding the complex interplay between the insect immune system and entomopathogens is critical for optimizing biopesticide efficacy. In this study, we identified a novel microbial binding protein, SfMBP, in S. frugiperda. However, the specific role of SfMBP in the immune response of S. frugiperda remains elusive. Encoded by the LOC118269163 gene, SfMBP shows significant induction in S. frugiperda larvae infected with the entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana. Consisting of 115 amino acids with a signal peptide, an N-terminal flexible region and a C-terminal β-sheet, SfMBP lacks any known functional domains. It is expressed predominantly during early larval stages and in the larval epidermis. Notably, SfMBP is significantly induced in larvae infected with bacteria and fungi and in SF9 cells stimulated by peptidoglycan. While recombinant SfMBP (rSfMBP) does not inhibit bacterial growth, it demonstrates binding capabilities to bacteria, fungal spores, peptidoglycan, lipopolysaccharides, and polysaccharides. This binding is inhibited by monosaccharides and EDTA. Molecular docking reveals potential Zn2+-interacting residues and three cavities. Furthermore, rSfMBP induces bacterial agglutination in the presence of Zn2+. It also binds to insect hemocytes and SF9 cells, enhancing phagocytosis and agglutination responses. Injection of rSfMBP increased the survival of S. frugiperda larvae infected with B. bassiana, whereas blocking SfMBP with the antibody decreased survival. These results suggest that SfMBP acts as a pattern recognition receptor that enhances pathogen recognition and cellular immune responses. Consequently, this study provides valuable insights for the development of pest control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bang-Xian Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China; School of Biological Science and Food Engineering, Chuzhou, 239000, China
| | - Fang-Fang Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Wen-Xuan Qi
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Yan-Qin Si
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Hai-Yan Ren
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Xiang-Jun Rao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, China.
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Mizutani K, Yoshida Y, Nakanishi E, Miyata Y, Tokumoto S, Fuse H, Gusev O, Kikuta S, Kikawada T. A sodium-dependent trehalose transporter contributes to anhydrobiosis in insect cell line, Pv11. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2317254121. [PMID: 38551840 PMCID: PMC10998604 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2317254121] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Pv11 is the only animal cell line that, when preconditioned with a high concentration of trehalose, can be preserved in the dry state at room temperature for more than one year while retaining the ability to resume proliferation. This extreme desiccation tolerance is referred to as anhydrobiosis. Here, we identified a transporter that contributes to the recovery of Pv11 cells from anhydrobiosis. In general, the solute carrier 5 (SLC5)-type secondary active transporters cotransport Na+ and carbohydrates including glucose. The heterologous expression systems showed that the transporter belonging to the SLC5 family, whose expression increases upon rehydration, exhibits Na+-dependent trehalose transport activity. Therefore, we named it STRT1 (sodium-ion trehalose transporter 1). We report an SLC5 family member that transports a naturally occurring disaccharide, such as trehalose. Knockout of the Strt1 gene significantly reduced the viability of Pv11 cells upon rehydration after desiccation. During rehydration, when intracellular trehalose is no longer needed, Strt1-knockout cells released the disaccharide more slowly than the parental cell line. During rehydration, Pv11 cells became roughly spherical due to osmotic pressure changes, but then returned to their original spindle shape after about 30 min. Strt1-knockout cells, however, required about 50 min to adopt their normal morphology. STRT1 probably regulates intracellular osmolality by releasing unwanted intracellular trehalose with Na+, thereby facilitating the recovery of normal cell morphology during rehydration. STRT1 likely improves the viability of dried Pv11 cells by rapidly alleviating the significant physical stresses that arise during rehydration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Mizutani
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Science, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba277-8562, Japan
| | - Yuki Yoshida
- Division of Biomaterial Sciences, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki305-8634, Japan
| | - Eita Nakanishi
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Science, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba277-8562, Japan
| | - Yugo Miyata
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo113-8510, Japan
| | - Shoko Tokumoto
- Division of Biomaterial Sciences, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki305-8634, Japan
- Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo113-8421, Japan
| | - Hiroto Fuse
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Science, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba277-8562, Japan
| | - Oleg Gusev
- Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo113-8421, Japan
| | - Shingo Kikuta
- Department of Regional and Comprehensive Agriculture, College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, Ami, Ibaraki300-0393, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kikawada
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Science, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba277-8562, Japan
- Division of Biomaterial Sciences, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki305-8634, Japan
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Zhang YX, Tan Q, Jin L, Li GQ. Molecular characterization of the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP18A1 in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol 2024; 115:e22111. [PMID: 38628055 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22111] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
In insects, the expression of 20E response genes that initiate metamorphosis is triggered by a pulse of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). The 20E pulse is generated through two processes: synthesis, which increases its level, and inactivation, which decreases its titer. CYP18A1 functions as an ecdysteroid 26-hydroxylase and plays a role in 20E removal in several representative insects. However, applying 20E degradation activity of CYP18A1 to other insects remains a significant challenge. In this study, we discovered high levels of Hvcyp18a1 during the larval and late pupal stages, particularly in the larval epidermis and fat body of Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, a damaging Coleopteran pest of potatoes. RNA interference (RNAi) targeting Hvcyp18a1 disrupted the pupation. Approximately 75% of the Hvcyp18a1 RNAi larvae experienced developmental arrest and remained as stunted prepupae. Subsequently, they gradually turned black and eventually died. Among the Hvcyp18a1-depleted animals that successfully pupated, around half became malformed pupae with swollen elytra and hindwings. The emerged adults from these deformed pupae appeared misshapen, with shriveled elytra and hindwings, and were wrapped in the pupal exuviae. Furthermore, RNAi of Hvcyp18a1 increased the expression of a 20E receptor gene (HvEcR) and four 20E response transcripts (HvE75, HvHR3, HvBrC, and HvαFTZ-F1), while decreased the transcription of HvβFTZ-F1. Our findings confirm the vital role of CYP18A1 in the pupation, potentially involved in the degradation of 20E in H. vigintioctopunctata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xing Zhang
- Department of Entomology, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests/State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiao Tan
- Department of Entomology, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests/State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Jin
- Department of Entomology, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests/State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guo-Qing Li
- Department of Entomology, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests/State & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Green Pesticide Invention and Application, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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9
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Jiao Z, Chen M, Zhao W, Wu Y, Guo G. Serine protease mediates Ovomermis sinensis-inhibited host immune responses by inducing apoptosis: implications for successful parasitism and host mortality. Pest Manag Sci 2024; 80:1968-1980. [PMID: 38105114 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7931] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mermithid nematodes are entomopathogens that parasitize and kill insect hosts and are used for biological control. It is widely believed that mermithid nematodes kill their host upon nematode emergence, unlike other parasites that depend on virulence factors. In this study, we disproved this theory by demonstrating that the mermithid nematode Ovomermis sinensis mediates host mortality by serine protease-induced apoptosis. RESULTS Successful parasitism of O. sinensis increased with the infection rate, and the inhibition of host immunity by O. sinensis increased with the parasitic load. A serine protease was identified from the host hemolymph. This protease belongs to the trypsin-like serine protease family, which is an apoptosis-inducing serine protease. Specifically, Os-sp was highly expressed only during the parasitic stage and could be induced by host hemocytes and the fat body. Importantly, host immune effectors (melanization, phenoloxidase activity, and encapsulation) were suppressed by the recombinant protein rOs-sp that induced apoptosis of hemocytes and fat body in a dose-dependent manner, which contributes to host death. CONCLUSION Serine protease mediates O. sinensis-inhibited host immune responses by inducing apoptosis that is lethal to the insect host. Our findings have broader implications for understanding the mechanism of successful parasitism and killing of host by nematodes. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenlong Jiao
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Mingming Chen
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Wenjing Zhao
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yuanming Wu
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Guo Guo
- The Key and Characteristic Laboratory of Modern Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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Tang YH, Bi SY, Wang XD, Ji SX, Huang C, Zhang GF, Guo JY, Yang NW, Ma DF, Wan FH, Lü ZC, Liu WX. Opsin mutants alter host plant selection by color vision in the nocturnal invasive pest Tuta absoluta. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 265:130636. [PMID: 38467214 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130636] [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] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
In insects, vision is crucial in finding host plants, but its role in nocturnal insects is largely unknown. Vision involves responses to specific spectra of photon wavelengths and opsins plays an important role in this process. Long-wavelength sensitive opsin (LW opsin) and blue-sensitive opsin (BL opsin) are main visual opsin proteins and play important in behavior regulation.We used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to mutate the long-wavelength-sensitive and blue wavelength-sensitive genes and explored the role of vision in the nocturnal invasive pest Tuta absoluta. Light wave experiments revealed that LW2(-/-) and BL(-/-) mutants showed abnormal wavelength tropism. Both LW2 and BL mutations affected the preference of T. absoluta for the green environment. Mutations in LW2 and BL are necessary to inhibit visual attraction. The elimination of LW2 and BL affected the preference of leaf moths for green plants, and mutations in both induced a preference in moths for white plants. Behavioral changes resulting from LW2(-/-) and BL(-/-) mutants were not affected by sense of smell, further supporting the regulatory role of vision in insect behavior. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to reveal that vision, not smell, plays an important role in the host-seeking behavior of nocturnal insects at night, of which LW2 and BL opsins are key regulatory factors. These study findings will drive the development of the "vision-ecology" theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Hong Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Engineering Research Center of Ecology and Agricultural Use of Wetland, Ministry of Education, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, China
| | - Si-Yan Bi
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiao-Di Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shun-Xia Ji
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Cong Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Gui-Fen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jian-Yang Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Nian-Wan Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Western Agricultural Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji 831100, China
| | - Dong-Fang Ma
- Engineering Research Center of Ecology and Agricultural Use of Wetland, Ministry of Education, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, China
| | - Fang-Hao Wan
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhi-Chuang Lü
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Wan-Xue Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
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11
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Kordi M, Talkhounche PG, Vahedi H, Farrokhi N, Tabarzad M. Heterologous Production of Antimicrobial Peptides: Notes to Consider. Protein J 2024; 43:129-158. [PMID: 38180586 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-023-10174-w] [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] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Heavy and irresponsible use of antibiotics in the last century has put selection pressure on the microbes to evolve even faster and develop more resilient strains. In the confrontation with such sometimes called "superbugs", the search for new sources of biochemical antibiotics seems to have reached the limit. In the last two decades, bioactive antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are polypeptide chains with less than 100 amino acids, have attracted the attention of many in the control of microbial pathogens, more than the other types of antibiotics. AMPs are groups of components involved in the immune response of many living organisms, and have come to light as new frontiers in fighting with microbes. AMPs are generally produced in minute amounts within organisms; therefore, to address the market, they have to be either produced on a large scale through recombinant DNA technology or to be synthesized via chemical methods. Here, heterologous expression of AMPs within bacterial, fungal, yeast, plants, and insect cells, and points that need to be considered towards their industrialization will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Kordi
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parnian Ghaedi Talkhounche
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Helia Vahedi
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Naser Farrokhi
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Maryam Tabarzad
- Protein Technology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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12
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Zhang K, Chen L, Chen J, Huang H, Liu K, Zhang Y, Yang J, Wu S. Mutation V65I in the β1 Subunit of the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Confers Neonicotinoid and Sulfoxaflor Resistance in Insects. J Agric Food Chem 2024; 72:5671-5681. [PMID: 38442746 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c09456] [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] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Neonicotinoids have been widely used to control pests with remarkable effectiveness. Excessive insecticides have led to serious insect resistance. Mutations of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) are one of the reasons for neonicotinoid resistance conferred in various agricultural pests. Two mutations, V65I and V104I, were found in the nAChR β1 subunit of two neonicotinoid-resistant aphid populations. However, the specific functions of the two mutations remain unclear. In this study, we cloned and identified four nAChR subunits (α1, α2, α8, and β1) of thrips and found them to be highly homologous to the nAChR subunits of other insects. Subsequently, we successfully expressed two subtypes nAChR (α1/α2/α8/β1 and α1/α8/β1) by coinjecting three cofactors for the first time in thrips, and α1/α8/β1 showed abundant current rapidly. Acetylcholine, neonicotinoids, and sulfoxaflor exhibited different activation capacities for the two subtypes of nAChRs. Finally, V65I was found to significantly reduce the binding ability of nAChR to neonicotinoids and sulfoxaflor through electrophysiology and computer simulations. V104I caused a decrease in agonist affinity (pEC50) but an increase in the efficacy (Imax) of nAChR against neonicotinoids and reduced the binding ability of nAChR to sulfoxaflor. This study provides theoretical and technical support for studying the molecular mechanisms of neonicotinoid resistance in pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Zhang
- School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya 572024, China
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry (School of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, School of Rural Revitalization), Hainan University, Danzhou 571700, China
| | - Longwei Chen
- School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya 572024, China
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry (School of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, School of Rural Revitalization), Hainan University, Danzhou 571700, China
| | - Jianwen Chen
- School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya 572024, China
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry (School of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, School of Rural Revitalization), Hainan University, Danzhou 571700, China
| | - Huixiu Huang
- School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya 572024, China
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry (School of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, School of Rural Revitalization), Hainan University, Danzhou 571700, China
| | - Kaiyang Liu
- School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya 572024, China
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry (School of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, School of Rural Revitalization), Hainan University, Danzhou 571700, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya 572024, China
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry (School of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, School of Rural Revitalization), Hainan University, Danzhou 571700, China
| | - Jingfang Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- National Nanfan Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya 572024, China
| | - Shaoying Wu
- School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya 572024, China
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry (School of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, School of Rural Revitalization), Hainan University, Danzhou 571700, China
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13
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Yang Z, Deng M, Wang W, Xiao T, Peng H, Huang Z, Lu K. Characterization and functional analysis of UDP-glycosyltransferases reveal their contribution to phytochemical flavone tolerance in Spodoptera litura. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 261:129745. [PMID: 38286378 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129745] [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] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Efficient detoxification is the key factor for phytophagous insect to adapt to phytochemicals. However, the role of uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) in insect anti-defense to phytochemical flavone is largely unknown. In this study, 52 UGT genes were identified in Spodoptera litura and they presented evident gene duplication. UGT played a crucial part in larval tolerance to flavone because the enzyme activity and transcriptional level of 77 % UGT members were remarkably upregulated by flavone administration and suppression of UGT enzyme activity and gene expressions significantly increased larval susceptibility to flavone. Bacteria coexpressing UGTs had high survival rates under flavone treatment and flavone was dramatically metabolized by UGT recombinant cells, which indicated the involvement of UGTs in flavone detoxification. What's more, ecdysone pathway was activated by flavone. Topical application of 20-hydroxyecdysone highly upregulated UGT enzyme activity and more than half of UGT expressions. The effects were opposite when ecdysone receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle (USP)-mediated ecdysone signaling pathway was inhibited. Furtherly, promoter reporter assays of 5 UGT genes showed that their transcription activities were notably increased by cotransfection with EcR and USP. In consequence, this study suggested that UGTs were involved in flavone detoxification and their transcriptional expressions were regulated by ecdysone pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiming Yang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Mengqing Deng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Wenxiu Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Tianxiang Xiao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Haoxue Peng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Zifan Huang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Kai Lu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China.
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14
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Morimoto J. Optimum ratio of dietary protein and carbohydrate that maximises lifespan is shared among related insect species. Aging Cell 2024; 23:e14067. [PMID: 38093527 DOI: 10.1111/acel.14067] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Animals often regulate the intake and quantity of nutrients to maximise fitness through life-history traits such as lifespan, but we still lack a proper understanding of how specific nutrients influence these traits. Here, I developed an algorithm which allowed me to create a nutrient-specific database from literature data, and investigated how the requirements of protein (P) and carbohydrate (C) needed to maximise lifespan evolved across nine insect species. I found moderate evidence of a phylogenetic signal on the optimal ratio of protein to carbohydrate ratio (PC ratio) that maximised lifespan, suggesting that optimal PC ratio for lifespan could have evolved non-independently among related species. I also found evidence for weak-to-strong sex-specific optimal PC ratios for lifespan, suggesting that sex-specific nutritional needs to maximise lifespan can emerge and persist in some species. Although limited in the number of species, the approach adopted here is portable to experiments withn number of nutrients and, thus, can be used in complex comparative precision nutrition studies for insights into the evolution of animal nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliano Morimoto
- Institute of Mathematics, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen, UK
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
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15
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Niu J, Chen R, Wang JJ. RNA interference in insects: the link between antiviral defense and pest control. Insect Sci 2024; 31:2-12. [PMID: 37162315 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a form of gene silencing triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) that operates in all eukaryotic cells. RNAi has been widely investigated in insects to determine the underlying molecular mechanism, to investigate its role in systemic antiviral defense, and to develop strategies for pest control. When insect cells are infected by viruses, viral dsRNA signatures trigger a local RNAi response to block viral replication and generate virus-derived DNA that confers systemic immunity. RNAi-based insect pest control involves the application of exogenous dsRNA targeting genes essential for insect development or survival, but the efficacy of this approach has limited potency in many pests through a combination of rapid dsRNA degradation, inefficient dsRNA uptake/processing, and ineffective RNAi machinery. This could be addressed by dsRNA screening and evaluation, focusing on dsRNA design and off-target management, as well as dsRNA production and delivery. This review summarizes recent progress to determine the role of RNAi in antiviral defense and as a pest control strategy in insects, addressing gaps between our fundamental understanding of the RNAi mechanism and the exploitation of RNAi-based pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinzhi Niu
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ruoyu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biosafety and Green Production of Upper Yangtze River (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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16
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Wang Y, Buer B, Goodman CL, Kang D, Reall T, Dohn S, Ringbauer J, Li Y, Geibel S, Stanley D. Indomethacin and 20-hydroxyecdysone influence protein expression in a Spodoptera frugiperda nervous system cell line. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol 2024; 115:e22089. [PMID: 38409869 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22089] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Insecticide mode of action studies provide insights into how new insecticidal actives function and contribute to assessing safety to humans and nontarget organisms. Insect cell lines that express potential target sites can serve as valuable tools in this effort. In this paper, we report on the influence of two signaling molecules on protein expression in a nervous system cell line established from Spodoptera frugiperda (Bayer/BCIRL-SfNS2-0714-TR). We selected this line because we established it in our laboratory and we are experienced in using it. Cells were exposed to the insect developmental hormone (1 µg/mL 20-hydroxyecdysone, 20E) and/or a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor (25 μM indomethacin, INDO; inhibits prostaglandin [PG] biosynthesis) for 24 h (Day 2), 72 h (Day 4), or 120 h (Day 6). We selected a PG biosynthesis inhibitor because PGs act in many aspects of insect biology, such as embryonic development, immunity, and protein phosphorylation. We selected the developmental hormone, 20E, because it also acts in fundamental aspects of insect biology. We identified specific proteins via in silico analysis. Changes in protein expression levels were determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS) + MS-MS. The largest number of changes in protein expression occurred on Day 2. The combination of 20E plus INDO led to 222 differentially expressed proteins, which documents the deep significance of PGs and 20E in insect biology. 20E and, separately, INDO led to changes in 30 proteins each (p value < 0.01; >2X or <0.5X-fold changes). We recorded changes in the expression of 9 or 12 proteins (20E), 10 or 6 proteins (INDO), and 21 or 20 proteins (20E + INDO) on D4 and D6, respectively. While the cell line was established from neuronal tissue, the differentially expressed proteins act in a variety of fundamental cell processes. In this paper, we moved beyond a list of proteins by providing detailed, Gene Ontology term analyses and enrichment, which offers an in-depth understanding of the influence of these treatments on the SfNS2 cells. Because proteins are active components of cell physiology in their roles as enzymes, receptors, elements of signaling transduction pathways, and cellular structures, changes in their expression levels under the influence of signaling molecules provide insights into their function in insect cell physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Wang
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Liaoning Engineering and Technology Research Center for Insect Resource, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Benjamin Buer
- Bayer AG, Research & Development, Crop Science, Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Cynthia L Goodman
- Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, USDA/Agricultural Research Service, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - David Kang
- Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, USDA/Agricultural Research Service, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Tamra Reall
- University of Missouri-Extension, Blue Springs, Missouri, USA
| | - Susanne Dohn
- Bayer AG, Research & Development, Crop Science, Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Joseph Ringbauer
- Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, USDA/Agricultural Research Service, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Yaofa Li
- Plant Protection Institute, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences/IPM Center of Hebei Province/Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northern Region of North China, Ministry of Agriculture, Baoding, China
| | - Sven Geibel
- Bayer AG, Research & Development, Crop Science, Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - David Stanley
- Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, USDA/Agricultural Research Service, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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Tang L, Yang D, Liu Z, Wang Y, Yang X, Liu Y, Chen D, Tang Z, Huang Y. Functional characterization of Bmcap in uric acid metabolism in the silkworm. Insect Sci 2024; 31:147-156. [PMID: 37358054 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13236] [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: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
After a millennium of domestication, numerous silkworm mutants have emerged that exhibit transparent epidermis, which is caused by abnormally low levels of uric acid. We identified the Bombyx mori gene Bmcap (BMSK0003832) as the homolog of cappuccino, a subunit of the biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex-1 (BLOC-1) that has been extensively characterized in human, mouse, and insect species, by analyzing the amino acid sequences of putative purine metabolism genes. Using the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) / CRISPR-associated protein 9 system, we disrupted Bmcap, resulting in decreased uric acid levels in the silkworm epidermis and a translucent skin phenotype. In the Bmcap mutant, the purine metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and membrane system were altered compared to the wild type. Biogenesis of lysosome-related organelle complex genes play a role in the pigmentation and biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles (LROs) in platelets, melanocytes, and megakaryocytes. LROs exhibit unique morphologies and functions in various tissues and cells. Investigation of the Bmcap mutant will enhance our understanding of the uric acid metabolic pathway in silkworms, and this mutant offers a valuable silkworm model for LRO studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linmeng Tang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Central Research Institute, Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Dehong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiwei Liu
- Departments of Neonatology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital of China Welfare Institution, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaohui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yujia Liu
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dongbin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Tang
- Departments of Neonatology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital of China Welfare Institution, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongping Huang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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18
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Wang YJ, Liu QS, Liu LP, Zhang YC, Qiu S, Zhang WG, Lin JH, Qin YT, Wang X, Wu YY, Zhao P, Xia QY, Ding L, Rong DY, Wang H, Dong ZM. The silk gland proteome of Stenopsyche angustata provides insights into the underwater silk secretion. Insect Mol Biol 2024; 33:41-54. [PMID: 37740676 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12874] [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: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Caddisworms (Trichoptera) spin adhesive silks to construct a variety of underwater composite structures. Many studies have focused on the fibroin heavy chain of caddisworm silk and found that it contains heavy phosphorylation to maintain a stable secondary structure. Besides fibroins, recent studies have also identified some new silk proteins within caddisworm silk. To better understand the silk composition and its secretion process, this study reports the silk gland proteome of a retreat-building caddisworm, Stenopsyche angustata Martynov (Trichoptera, Stenopsychidae). Using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), 2389 proteins were identified in the silk gland of S. angustata, among which 192 were predicted as secreted silk proteins. Twenty-nine proteins were found to be enriched in the front silk gland, whereas 109 proteins were enriched in the caudal silk gland. The fibroin heavy chain and nine uncharacterized silk proteins were identified as phosphorylated proteins. By analysing the sequence of the fibroin heavy chain, we found that it contains 13 Gly/Thr/Pro-rich regions, 12 Val/Ser/Arg-rich regions and a Gly/Arg/Thr-rich region. Three uncharacterized proteins were identified as sericin-like proteins due to their larger molecular weights, signal peptides and repetitive motifs rich in serine. This study provides valuable information for further clarifying the secretion and adhesion of underwater caddisworm silk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jun Wang
- Institute of Sericulture, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, China
| | - Qing-Song Liu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li-Ping Liu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Ocean College, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, China
| | - Yi-Chuan Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Ocean College, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, China
| | - Shuang Qiu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Univeristy of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wen-Guang Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Ocean College, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, China
| | - Jin-Hang Lin
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu-Ting Qin
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Ocean College, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yue-Ying Wu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Ocean College, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qing-You Xia
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ling Ding
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Ocean College, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, China
| | - Dong-Ying Rong
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Ocean College, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Institute of Sericulture, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Ocean College, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, China
| | - Zhao-Ming Dong
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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19
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Rabadiya D, Behr M. The biology of insect chitinases and their roles at chitinous cuticles. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 165:104071. [PMID: 38184175 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104071] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Chitin is one of the most prevalent biomaterials in the natural world. The chitin matrix formation and turnover involve several enzymes for chitin synthesis, maturation, and degradation. Sequencing of the Drosophila genome more than twenty years ago revealed that insect genomes contain a number of chitinases, but why insects need so many different chitinases was unclear. Here, we focus on insect GH18 family chitinases and discuss their participation in chitin matrix formation and degradation. We describe their variations in terms of temporal and spatial expression patterns, molecular function, and physiological consequences at chitinous cuticles. We further provide insight into the catalytic mechanisms by discussing chitinase protein domain structures, substrate binding, and enzymatic activities with respect to structural analysis of the enzymatic GH18 domain, substrate-binding cleft, and characteristic TIM-barrel structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhyeykumar Rabadiya
- Cell & Developmental Biology, Institute for Biology, Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthias Behr
- Cell & Developmental Biology, Institute for Biology, Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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20
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Loganathan M, Francis B, Krammer F. Production of Influenza Virus Glycoproteins Using Insect Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2762:43-70. [PMID: 38315359 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3666-4_4] [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: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The baculovirus/insect cell expression system is a very useful tool for reagent and antigen generation in vaccinology, virology, and immunology. It allows for the production of recombinant glycoproteins, which are used as antigens in vaccination studies and as reagents in immunological assays. Here, we describe the process of recombinant glycoprotein production using the baculovirus/insect cell expression system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhumathi Loganathan
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin Francis
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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21
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Woodrow C, Cullen DA, Montealegre-Z F, Gonzalez-Rodriguez J. Non-invasive characterization of the elastic protein resilin in insects using Raman spectroscopy. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127967. [PMID: 37944738 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127967] [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] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Resilin is an extremely efficient elastic protein found in the moving parts of insects. Despite many years of resilin research, we are still only just starting to understand its diversity, native structures, and functions. Understanding differences in resilin structure and diversity could lead to the development of bioinspired elastic polymers, with broad applications in materials science. Here, to better understand resilin structure, we offer a novel methodology for identifying resilin-rich regions of the insect cuticle using non-invasive Raman spectroscopy in a model species, the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria). The Raman spectrum of the resilin-rich semilunar process of the hind leg was compared with that of nearby low-resilin cuticle, and reference spectra and peaks assigned for these two regions. The main peaks of resilin include two bands associated with tyrosine at 955-962 and 1141-1203 cm-1 and a strong peak at 1615 cm-1, attributed to the α-Amide I group associated with dityrosine. We also found the chitin skeletal modes at ~485-567 cm-1 to be significant contributors to spectra variance between the groups. Raman spectra were also compared to results obtained by fluorescence spectroscopy, as a control technique. Principal component analysis of these resulting spectra revealed differences in the light-scattering properties of resilin-rich and resilin-poor cuticular regions, which may relate to differences in native protein structure and relative abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlie Woodrow
- University of Lincoln, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Green Lane, Lincoln LN6 7DL, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Darron A Cullen
- University of Lincoln, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Green Lane, Lincoln LN6 7DL, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; University of Hull, School of Natural Sciences, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Fernando Montealegre-Z
- University of Lincoln, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Green Lane, Lincoln LN6 7DL, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Jose Gonzalez-Rodriguez
- University of Lincoln, School of Chemistry, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Green Lane, Lincoln LN6 7DL, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
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22
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Yu A, Beck M, Merzendorfer H, Yang Q. Advances in understanding insect chitin biosynthesis. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 164:104058. [PMID: 38072083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Chitin, a natural polymer of N-acetylglucosamine chains, is a principal component of the apical extracellular matrix in arthropods. Chitin microfibrils serve as structural components of natural biocomposites present in the extracellular matrix of a variety of invertebrates including sponges, molluscs, nematodes, fungi and arthropods. In this review, we summarize the frontier advances of insect chitin synthesis. More specifically, we focus on the chitin synthase (CHS), which catalyzes the key biosynthesis step. CHS is also known as an attractive insecticidal target in that this enzyme is absent in mammals, birds or plants. As no insect chitin synthase structure have been reported so far, we review recent studies on glycosyltransferase domain structures derived from fungi and oomycetes, which are conserved in CHS from all species containing chitin. Auxiliary proteins, which coordinate with CHS in chitin biosynthesis and assembly, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailing Yu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China; State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Marius Beck
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Hans Merzendorfer
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany.
| | - Qing Yang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China; State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
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23
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Kefi M, Konstantinos P, Balabanidou V, Sarafoglou C, Tsakireli D, Douris V, Monastirioti M, Maréchal JD, Feyereisen R, Vontas J. Insights into unique features of Drosophila CYP4G enzymes. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 164:104041. [PMID: 38008364 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104041] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
The cytochrome P450 enzymes of the CYP4G subfamily are some of the most intriguing insect P450s in terms of structure and function. In Drosophila, CYP4G1 is highly expressed in the oenocytes and is the last enzyme in the biosynthesis of cuticular hydrocarbons, while CYP4G15 is expressed in the brain and is of unknown function. Both proteins have a CYP4G-specific and characteristic amino acid sequence insertion corresponding to a loop between the G and H helices whose function is unclear. Here we address these enigmatic structural and functional features of Drosophila CYP4Gs. First, we used reverse genetics to generate D. melanogaster strains in which all or part of the CYP4G-specific loop was removed from CYP4G1. We showed that the full loop was not needed for proper folding of the P450, but it is essential for function, and that just a short stretch of six amino acids is required for the enzyme's ability to make hydrocarbons. Second, we confirmed by immunocytochemistry that CYP4G15 is expressed in the brain and showed that it is specifically associated with the cortex glia cell subtype. We then expressed CYP4G15 ectopically in oenocytes, revealing that it can produce of a blend of hydrocarbons, albeit to quantitatively lower levels resulting in only a partial rescue of CYP4G1 knockdown flies. The CYP4G1 structural variants studied here should facilitate the biochemical characterization of CYP4G enzymes. Our results also raise the question of the putative role of hydrocarbons and their synthesis by cortex glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Kefi
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, 70013, Heraklion, Greece; Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Nikolaou Plastira Street 100, 70013, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Parasyris Konstantinos
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, 70013, Heraklion, Greece; Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Nikolaou Plastira Street 100, 70013, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Vasileia Balabanidou
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Nikolaou Plastira Street 100, 70013, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Chara Sarafoglou
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, 70013, Heraklion, Greece; Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Nikolaou Plastira Street 100, 70013, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Dimitra Tsakireli
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Nikolaou Plastira Street 100, 70013, Heraklion, Greece; Pesticide Science Laboratory, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilis Douris
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece; Biomedical Research Institute (BRI), Foundation for Research and Technology (FORTH), University Campus, 451 10, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Maria Monastirioti
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Nikolaou Plastira Street 100, 70013, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Jean-Didier Maréchal
- Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici C.n., Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - René Feyereisen
- Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium.
| | - John Vontas
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Nikolaou Plastira Street 100, 70013, Heraklion, Greece; Pesticide Science Laboratory, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece.
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24
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Kinkar OU, Kumar A, Prashar A, Yadav B, Hadapad AB, Hire RS, Makde RD. The crystal structure of insecticidal protein Txp40 from Xenorhabdus nematophila reveals a two-domain unique binary toxin with homology to the toxin-antitoxin (TA) system. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 164:104045. [PMID: 38040266 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104045] [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: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Txp40 is a ubiquitous, conserved, and novel toxin from Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus bacteria, toxic to a wide range of insect pests. However, the three-dimensional structure and toxicity mechanism for Txp40 or any of its sequence homologs are not yet known. Here, we are reporting the crystal structure of the insecticidal protein Txp40 from Xenorhabdus nematophila at 2.08 Å resolution. The Txp40 was structurally distinct from currently known insecticidal proteins. Txp40 consists of two structurally different domains, an N-terminal domain (NTD) and a C-terminal domain (CTD), primarily joined by a 33-residue long linker peptide. Txp40 displayed proteolytic propensity. Txp40 gets proteolyzed, removing the linker peptide, which is essential for proper crystal packing. NTD adopts a novel fold composed of nine amphipathic helices and has no shared sequence or structural homology to any known proteins. CTD has structural homology with RNases of type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) complex belonging to the RelE/ParE toxin domain superfamily. NTD and CTD were individually toxic to Galleria mellonella larvae. However, maximal toxicity was observed when both domains were present. Our results suggested that the Txp40 acts as a two-domain binary toxin, which is unique and different from any known binary toxins and insecticidal proteins. Txp40 is also unique because it belongs to the prokaryotic RelE/ParE toxin family with a toxic effect on eukaryotic organisms, in contrast to other members of the same family. Broad insect specificity and unique binary toxin complex formation make Txp40 a viable candidate to overcome the development of resistance in insect pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omkar U Kinkar
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, Maharashtra, India; Beamline Development and Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- Beamline Development and Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Arpit Prashar
- Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Beena Yadav
- Beamline Development and Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Ashok B Hadapad
- Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Ramesh S Hire
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, Maharashtra, India; Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Ravindra D Makde
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, Maharashtra, India; Beamline Development and Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, Maharashtra, India.
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25
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Labropoulou V, Wang L, Magkrioti C, Smagghe G, Swevers L. Single domain von Willebrand factor type C "cytokines" and the regulation of the stress/immune response in insects. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol 2024; 115:e22071. [PMID: 38288483 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22071] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The single domain von Willebrand factor type C (SVWC) appears in small secreted peptides that are arthropod-specific and are produced following environmental stress or pathogen exposure. Most research has focused on proteins with SVWC domain that are induced after virus infection and are hypothesized to function as "cytokines" to regulate the innate immune response. The expansion of SVWC genes in insect species indicates that many other functions remain to be discovered. Research in shrimp has elucidated the adaptability of Vago-like peptides in the innate immune response against bacteria, fungi and viruses after activation by Jak-STAT and/or Toll/Imd pathways in which they can act as pathogen-recognition receptors or cytokine-like signaling molecules. SVWC factors also appear in scorpion venoms and tick saliva, underlining their versatility to acquire new functions. This review discusses the discovery and function of SVWC peptides from insects to crustaceans and chelicerates and reveals the enormous gaps in knowledge that remain to be filled to understand this enigmatic group of secreted peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassiliki Labropoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, Athens, Greece
| | - Luoluo Wang
- Red Imported Fire Ant Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Christiana Magkrioti
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, Athens, Greece
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guizhou, China
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, Athens, Greece
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26
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Kodrík D, Čapková Frydrychová R, Hlávková D, Skoková Habuštová O, Štěrbová H. Unusual functions of insect vitellogenins: minireview. Physiol Res 2023; 72:S475-S487. [PMID: 38165752 PMCID: PMC10861248 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935221] [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] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Insect vitellogenins are an intriguing class of complex proteins. They primarily serve as a source of energy for the developing embryo in insect eggs. Vitellogenesis is a complex hormonally and neurally controlled process that command synthesis of vitellogenin molecules and ensures their transport from the female fat bodies or ovarial cells into eggs. The representatives of all insect hormones such as juvenile hormones, ecdysteroids, and neurohormones participate in vitellogenesis, but juvenile hormones (most insect species) and ecdysteroids (mostly Diptera) play the most important roles in the process. Strikingly, not only insect females, but also males have been reported to synthesize vitellogenins indicating their further utility in the insect body. Indeed, it has recently been found that vitellogenins perform a variety of biological functions in the insect body. They participate in defense reactions against entomopathogens such as nematodes, fungi, and bacteria, as well as against venoms such as the honeybee Apis mellifera venom. Interestingly, vitellogenins are also present in the venom of the honeybee itself, albeit their exact role is unknown; they most likely increase the efficacy of the venom in the victim's body. Within the bee's body vitellogenins contribute to the lifespan regulation as anti-aging factor acting under tight social interactions and hormonal control. The current minireview covers all of these functions of vitellogenins and portrays them as biologically active substances that play a variety of significant roles in both insect females and males, and not only acting as passive energy sources for developing embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Kodrík
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic.
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27
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Wang C, Guo Y, Li H, Chen P. [Analyzing the evolution of insect TMED gene and the expression pattern of silkworm TMED gene]. Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao 2023; 39:4996-5013. [PMID: 38147997 DOI: 10.13345/j.cjb.230251] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Transmembrane emp24 domain (TMED) gene is closely related to immune response, signal transduction, growth and disease development in mammals. However, only the Drosophila TMED gene has been reported on insects. We identified the TMED family genes of silkworm, Tribolium castaneum, tobacco moth and Italian bee from their genomes, and found that the TMED family gene composition patterns of one α-class, one β-class, one δ-class and several γ-classes arose in the common ancestor of pre-divergent Hymenoptera insects, while the composition of Drosophila TMED family members has evolved in a unique pattern. Insect TMED family γ-class genes have evolved rapidly, diverging into three separate subclasses, TMED6-like, TMED5-like and TMED3-like. The TMED5-like gene was lost in Hymenoptera, duplicated in the ancestors of Lepidoptera and duplicated in Drosophila. Insect TMED protein not only has typical structural characteristics of TMED, but also has obvious signal peptide. There are seven TMED genes in silkworm, distributed in six chromosomes. One of seven is single exon and others are multi-exons. The complete open reading frame (ORF) sequences of seven TMED genes of silkworm were cloned from larval tissues and registered in GenBank database. BmTMED1, BmTMED2 and BmTMED6 were expressed in all stages and tissues of the silkworm, and all genes were expressed in the 4th and 5th instar and silk gland of the silkworm. The present study revealed the composition pattern of TMED family members, their γ class differentiation and their evolutionary history, providing a basis for further studies on TMED genes in silkworm and other insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyang Wang
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yu Guo
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Haiyin Li
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Ping Chen
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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28
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Dou X, Jurenka R. Pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide family in insects: a review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1274750. [PMID: 38161974 PMCID: PMC10755894 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1274750] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides are involved in almost all physiological activities of insects. Their classification is based on physiological function and the primary amino acid sequence. The pyrokinin (PK)/pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptides (PBAN) are one of the largest neuropeptide families in insects, with a conserved C-terminal domain of FXPRLamide. The peptide family is divided into two groups, PK1/diapause hormone (DH) with a WFGPRLa C-terminal ending and PK2/PBAN with FXPRLamide C-terminal ending. Since the development of cutting-edge technology, an increasing number of peptides have been sequenced primarily through genomic, transcriptomics, and proteomics, and their functions discovered using gene editing tools. In this review, we discussed newly discovered functions, and analyzed the distribution of genes encoding these peptides throughout different insect orders. In addition, the location of the peptides that were confirmed by PCR or immunocytochemistry is also described. A phylogenetic tree was constructed according to the sequences of the receptors of most insect orders. This review offers an understanding of the significance of this conserved peptide family in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyi Dou
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Russell Jurenka
- Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, Microbiology Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
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29
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Zhao Z, Li L, Zeng R, Lin L, Yuan D, Wen Y, Li N, Cui Y, Zhu S, Zhang ZM, Li S, Ren C. 5mC modification orchestrates choriogenesis and fertilization by preventing prolonged ftz-f1 expression. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8234. [PMID: 38086980 PMCID: PMC10716119 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43987-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation at the fifth position of cytosine (5-methylcytosine, 5mC) is a crucial epigenetic modification for regulating gene expression, but little is known about how it regulates gene expression in insects. Here, we pursue the detailed molecular mechanism by which DNMT1-mediated 5mC maintenance regulates female reproduction in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica. Our results show that Dnmt1 knockdown decreases the level of 5mC in the ovary, upregulating numerous genes during choriogenesis, especially the transcription factor ftz-f1. The hypomethylation at the ftz-f1 promoter region increases and prolongs ftz-f1 expression in ovarian follicle cells during choriogenesis, which consequently causes aberrantly high levels of 20-hydroxyecdysone and excessively upregulates the extracellular matrix remodeling gene Mmp1. These changes further impair choriogenesis and disrupt fertilization by causing anoikis of the follicle cells, a shortage of chorion proteins, and malformation of the sponge-like bodies. This study significantly advances our understanding of how DNA 5mC modification regulates female reproduction in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510631, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, 514779, China
| | - Liang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Ruichen Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Liangguan Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Dongwei Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Yejie Wen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Na Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, 514779, China
| | - Yingying Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Shiming Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Zhi-Min Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, 514779, China.
| | - Chonghua Ren
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology & School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, South China Normal University, Meizhou, 514779, China.
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Zboray K, Toth AV, Miskolczi TD, Pesti K, Casanova E, Kreidl E, Mike A, Szenes Á, Sági L, Lukacs P. High-throughput ligand profile characterization in novel cell lines expressing seven heterologous insect olfactory receptors for the detection of volatile plant biomarkers. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21757. [PMID: 38066004 PMCID: PMC10709440 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47455-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Agriculturally important crop plants emit a multitude of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are excellent indicators of their health status and their interactions with pathogens and pests. In this study, we have developed a novel cellular olfactory panel for detecting fungal pathogen-related VOCs we had identified in the field, as well as during controlled inoculations of several crop plants. The olfactory panel consists of seven stable HEK293 cell lines each expressing a functional Drosophila olfactory receptor as a biosensing element along with GCaMP6, a fluorescent calcium indicator protein. An automated 384-well microplate reader was used to characterize the olfactory receptor cell lines for their sensitivity to reference VOCs. Subsequently, we profiled a set of 66 VOCs on all cell lines, covering a concentration range from 1 to 100 μM. Results showed that 49 VOCs (74.2%) elicited a response in at least one olfactory receptor cell line. Some VOCs activated the cell lines even at nanomolar (ppb) concentrations. The interaction profiles obtained here will support the development of biosensors for agricultural applications. Additionally, the olfactory receptor proteins can be purified from these cell lines with sufficient yields for further processing, such as structure determination or integration with sensor devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Zboray
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary
- TetraLab Ltd., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Adam V Toth
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary
- Department of Biochemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tímea D Miskolczi
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary
- Department of Biochemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Pesti
- TetraLab Ltd., Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Biochemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Agricultural Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary
| | - Emilio Casanova
- Department of Pharmacology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Emanuel Kreidl
- Department of Pharmacology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Novartis AG, 6336, Langkampfen, Austria
| | - Arpad Mike
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary
- Department of Biochemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Áron Szenes
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Sági
- Agricultural Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary
| | - Peter Lukacs
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary.
- Agricultural Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Martonvásár, Hungary.
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31
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Süess P, Roberts KT, Lehmann P. Temperature dependence of gas exchange patterns shift as diapause progresses in the butterfly Pieris napi. J Insect Physiol 2023; 151:104585. [PMID: 37977342 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2023.104585] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Insects have the capacity to significantly modify their metabolic rate according to environmental conditions and physiological requirement. Consequently, the respiratory patterns can range from continuous gas exchange (CGE) to discontinuous gas exchange (DGE). In the latter, spiracles are kept closed during much of the time, and gas exchange occurs only during short periods when spiracles are opened. While ultimate causes and benefits of DGE remain debated, it is often seen during insect diapause, a deep resting stage that insects induce to survive unfavourable environmental conditions, such as winter. The present study explores the shifts between CGE and DGE during diapause by performing long continuous respirometry measurements at multiple temperatures during key diapause stages in the green-veined white butterfly Pieris napi. The primary goal is to explore respiratory pattern as a non-invasive method to assess whether pupae are in diapause or have transitioned to post-diapause. Respiratory pattern can also provide insight into endogenous processes taking place during diapause, and the prolonged duration of diapause allows for the detailed study of the thermal dependence of the DGE pattern. Pupae change from CGE to DGE a few days after pupation, and this shift coincides with metabolic rate suppression during diapause initiation. Once in diapause, pupae maintain DGE even at elevated temperatures that significantly increase CO2 production. Instead of shifting respiratory pattern to CGE, pupae increase the frequency of DGE cycles. Since total CO2 released during a single open phase remains unchanged, our results suggest that P. napi pupae defend a maximum internal ρCO2 set point, even in their heavily suppressed diapause state. During post-diapause development, CO2 production increases as a function of development and changes to CGE during temperature conditions permissive for development. Taken together, the results show that respiratory patterns are highly regulated during diapause in P. napi and change predictably as diapause progresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Süess
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 11418 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Kevin T Roberts
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 11418 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philipp Lehmann
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 11418 Stockholm, Sweden; Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
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Chen L, Wang Y, Zhang K, Wu S. Functional diversity of sodium channel variants in common eastern bumblebee, Bombus impatiens. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol 2023; 114:e22052. [PMID: 37672296 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22052] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
For the past decade, Colony Collapse Disorder has been reported worldwide. Insecticides containing pyrethroids may be responsible for a decline in bees, which are more sensitive to pyrethroids compared with other insects. Voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav ) are the major target sites of pyrethroids, and the sodium channel diversity is generated through extensive alternative splicing and RNA editing. In this study, we cloned and analyzed the function of variants of the Nav channel, BiNav , from Bombus impatiens. BiNav covers a 46 kb genome region including 30 exons. Sequence analysis of 56 clones showed that the clones can be grouped into 22 splice types with 11 optional exons (exons j, w, p, q, r, b, e, t, l/k, and z). Here, a special alternative exon w is identified, encoding a stretch of 31 amino acid resides in domain I between S3 and S4. RNA editing generates 18 amino acid changes in different positions in individual variants. Among 56 variants examined, only six variants generated sufficient sodium currents for functional characterization in Xenopus oocytes. In the presence of B. impatiens TipE and TEH1, the sodium current amplitude of BiNav 1-1 increased by fourfold, while TipE of other insect species had no effect on the expression. Abundant alternative splicing and RNA editing of BiNav suggests the molecular and functional pharmacology diversity of the Nav channel for bumblebees. This study provides a theoretical basis for the design of insecticides that specifically target pests without affecting beneficial insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longwei Chen
- College of Breeding and Multiplication, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Danzhou, China
| | - Yuquan Wang
- College of Breeding and Multiplication, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Danzhou, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- College of Breeding and Multiplication, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Danzhou, China
| | - Shaoying Wu
- College of Breeding and Multiplication, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Danzhou, China
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Cusumano A, Lievens B. Microbe-mediated alterations in floral nectar: consequences for insect parasitoids. Curr Opin Insect Sci 2023; 60:101116. [PMID: 37741616 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Floral nectar is frequently colonized by microbes among which bacteria and yeasts are the most abundant. These microbes have the ability to alter nectar characteristics with consequences for the whole community of flower-visiting insects. Recent research carried out on natural enemies of insect herbivores has shown that microbe-mediated changes in nectar traits can influence the foraging behavior and life history traits of parasitoids. The production of microbial volatile organic compounds can affect the attraction of parasitoids to nectar, while changes in sugar and amino acid composition can impact their longevity. Future research should focus on understanding the effects of nectar microbial colonization on parasitoid reproduction, with a specific emphasis on the interactions among different microbial taxa known to co-occur in floral nectar. Overall, this review highlights the importance of considering the role of nectar-inhabiting microbes in shaping the interactions between parasitoids and their food resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Cusumano
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Bart Lievens
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
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34
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Alborzi Z, Piulachs MD. Dual function of the transcription factor Ftz-f1 on oviposition in the cockroach Blattella germanica. Insect Mol Biol 2023; 32:689-702. [PMID: 37498010 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor Ftz-f1 has multiple functions in insect development in a spatial-temporal line. One of these roles is in the insect ovaries, specifically in the regulation of steroidogenic enzymes production. We studied the function of F in Blattella germanica oogenesis, as it shows two moments of high expression in ovaries: before the imaginal moult, and just before ovulation in the adult. Injecting dsftz-f1 into adult females, either just after the imaginal moult or just prior to choriogenesis, prevented oviposition, with differences between the two approaches. In 3-day-old adult females treated with dsftz-f1 just after the emergence, the expression of ftz-f1 was not modified, but the steroidogenic genes increased their expression. ftz-f1 transcript levels in the ovaries of 5-day-old dsftz-f1-treated females were significantly depleted, and the expression levels of the same steroidogenic genes began to decrease. These results suggest that Ftz-f1 regulates the expression of steroidogenic genes in B. germanica, with phm possibly being a key target. Ftz-f1 has a different temporal function in the cytoskeleton of follicular cells of the basal ovarian follicles. Early in the gonadotrophic cycle, Ftz-f1 promotes the expression of genes related to the cytoskeleton and muscle proteins, while at the end of the cycle it maintains the expression levels of these genes, thus ensuring correct ovulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynab Alborzi
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
- Agricultural Entomology, Insect Physiology, Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
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35
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Yun SH, Jang HS, Ahn SJ, Price BE, Hasegawa DK, Choi MY. Identification and characterisation of PRXamide peptides in the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis. Insect Mol Biol 2023; 32:603-614. [PMID: 37265417 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12859] [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: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Insect CAPA-PVK (periviscerokinin) and pyrokinin (PK) neuropeptides belong to the PRX family peptides and are produced from capa and pyrokinin genes. We identified and characterised the two genes from the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis. The capa gene transcribes three splice variants, capa-a, -b, and -c, encoding two CAPA-PVKs (EVQGLFPFPRVamide; QGLIPFPRVamide) and two PKs (ASWMPSSSPRLamide; DSASFTPRLamide). The pyrokinin mRNA encodes three PKs: DLVTQVLQPGQTGMWFGPRLamide, SEGNLVNFTPRLamide, and ESGEQPEDLEGSMGGAATSRQLRTDSEPTWGFSPRLamide, the most extended pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) ortholog in insects. Multiple potential endoproteolytic cleavage sites were presented in the prepropeptides from the pyrokinin gene, creating ambiguity to predict mature peptides. To solve this difficulty, we used three G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) for CAPA-PVK, tryptophan PK (trpPK), and PK peptides, and evaluated the binding affinities of the peptides. The binding activities revealed each subfamily of peptides exclusively bind to their corresponding receptors, and were significant for determining the CAPA-PVK and PK peptides. Our biological method using specific GPCRs would be a valuable tool for determining mature peptides, particularly with multiple and ambiguous cleavage sites in those prepropeptides. Both capa and pyrokinin mRNAs were strongly expressed in the head/thorax, but minimally expressed in the abdomen. The two genes also were clearly expressed during most of the life stages. Whole-mounting immunocytochemistry revealed that neurons contained PRXamide peptides throughout the whole-body: four to six neurosecretory cells in the head, and three and seven pairs of immunostained cells in the thorax and abdomen, respectively. Notably, the unusual PRXamide profiles of Thysanoptera are different from the other insect groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Hwan Yun
- Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, Hwaseong-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo Sang Jang
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
- Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Seung-Joon Ahn
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
| | - Briana E Price
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Daniel K Hasegawa
- Crop Improvement and Protection Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Salinas, California, USA
| | - Man-Yeon Choi
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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Zhou H, Jian Y, Shao Q, Guo F, Zhang M, Wan F, Yang L, Liu Y, Yang L, Li Y, Yang P, Li Z, Li S, Ding W. Development of Sustainable Insecticide Candidates for Protecting Pollinators: Insight into the Bioactivities, Selective Mechanism of Action and QSAR of Natural Coumarin Derivatives against Aphids. J Agric Food Chem 2023; 71:18359-18374. [PMID: 37965968 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c03493] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Plants employ abundant toxic secondary metabolites to withstand insect attack, while pollinators can tolerate some natural defensive compounds. Coumarins, as promising green alternatives to chemical insecticides, possess wide application prospects in the crop protection field. Herein, the bioactivities of 30 natural coumarin derivatives against Aphis gossypii were assessed and revealed that 6-methylcoumarin exhibited potent aphicidal activity against aphids but displayed no toxicity to honeybees. Additionally, using biochemical, bioinformatic, and molecular assays, we confirmed that the action mode of 6-methylcoumarin against aphids was by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Meanwhile, functional assays revealed that the difference in action site, which located in Lys585 in aphid AChE (equivalent to Val548 in honeybee AChE), was the principal reason for 6-methylcoumarin being toxic to aphids but safe to pollinators. This action site was further validated by mutagenesis data, which uncovered how 6-methylcoumarin was unique selective to the aphid over honeybee or mammalian AChE. Furthermore, a 2D-QSAR model was established, revealing that the central structural feature was H3m, which offers guidance for the future design of more potent coumarin compounds. This work provides a sustainable strategy to take advantage of coumarin analogues for pest management while protecting nontarget pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhou
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China
| | - Yufan Jian
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China
| | - Qingyi Shao
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China
| | - Fuyou Guo
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China
| | - Fenglin Wan
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China
| | - Liang Yang
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China
| | - Ying Liu
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China
| | - Li Yang
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China
| | - Yanhong Li
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China
| | - Pinglong Yang
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China
| | - Zongquan Li
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China
| | - Shili Li
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China
| | - Wei Ding
- Institute of Pesticide Science, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P.R. China
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Xia R, Xu L, Hao J, Zhang L, Wang S, Zhu Z, Yu Y. Transcriptome Dynamics of Brassica juncea Leaves in Response to Omnivorous Beet Armyworm ( Spodoptera exigua, Hübner). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16690. [PMID: 38069011 PMCID: PMC10706706 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cruciferous plants manufacture glucosinolates (GSLs) as special and important defense compounds against insects. However, how insect feeding induces glucosinolates in Brassica to mediate insect resistance, and how plants regulate the strength of anti-insect defense response during insect feeding, remains unclear. Here, mustard (Brassica juncea), a widely cultivated Brassica plant, and beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), an economically important polyphagous pest of many crops, were used to analyze the changes in GSLs and transcriptome of Brassica during insect feeding, thereby revealing the plant-insect interaction in Brassica plants. The results showed that the content of GSLs began to significantly increase after 48 h of herbivory by S. exigua, with sinigrin as the main component. Transcriptome analysis showed that a total of 8940 DEGs were identified in mustard challenged with beet armyworm larvae. The functional enrichment results revealed that the pathways related to the biosynthesis of glucosinolate and jasmonic acid were significantly enriched by upregulated DEGs, suggesting that mustard might provide a defense against herbivory by inducing JA biosynthesis and then promoting GSL accumulation. Surprisingly, genes regulating JA catabolism and inactivation were also activated, and both JA signaling repressors (JAZs and JAMs) and activators (MYCs and NACs) were upregulated during herbivory. Taken together, our results indicate that the accumulation of GSLs regulated by JA signaling, and the regulation of active and inactive JA compound conversion, as well as the activation of JA signaling repressors and activators, collectively control the anti-insect defense response and avoid over-stunted growth in mustard during insect feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Zhujun Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China; (R.X.); (L.X.); (J.H.); (L.Z.); (S.W.)
| | - Youjian Yu
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control for Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Collaborative Innovation Center for Efficient and Green Production of Agriculture in Mountainous Areas of Zhejiang Province, College of Horticulture Science, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China; (R.X.); (L.X.); (J.H.); (L.Z.); (S.W.)
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38
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Zhao F, Jia C, He F, Hu M, Guo X, Zhang J, Feng X. Site-Specific Profiling of N-Glycans in Drosophila melanogaster. FRONT BIOSCI-LANDMRK 2023; 28:278. [PMID: 38062813 DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2811278] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drosophila melanogaster is a well-studied and highly tractable genetic model system for deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying various biological processes. Although being one of the most critical post-translational modifications of proteins, the understanding of glycosylation in Drosophila is still lagging behind compared with that of other model organisms. METHODS In this study, we systematically investigated the site-specific N-glycan profile of Drosophila melanogaster using intact glycopeptide analysis technique. This approach identified the glycans, proteins, and their glycosites in Drosophila, as well as information on site-specific glycosylation, which allowed us to know which glycans are attached to which glycosylation sites. RESULTS The results showed that the majority of N-glycans in Drosophila were high-mannose type (69.3%), consistent with reports in other insects. Meanwhile, fucosylated N-glycans were also highly abundant (22.7%), and the majority of them were mono-fucosylated. In addition, 24 different sialylated glycans attached with 16 glycoproteins were identified, and these proteins were mainly associated with developmental processes. Gene ontology analysis showed that N-glycosylated proteins in Drosophila were involved in multiple biological processes, such as axon guidance, N-linked glycosylation, cell migration, cell spreading, and tissue development. Interestingly, we found that seven glycosyltransferases and four glycosidases were N-glycosylated, which suggested that N-glycans may play a regulatory role in the synthesis and degradation of N-glycans and glycoproteins. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this work represents the first comprehensive analysis of site-specific N-glycosylation in Drosophila, thereby providing new perspectives for the understanding of biological functions of glycosylation in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zhao
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 712046 Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chenyu Jia
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 712046 Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fangyu He
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 712046 Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Meiting Hu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 712046 Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xingyu Guo
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 712046 Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 712046 Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xuesong Feng
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 712046 Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
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Iannucci A, Zhu J, Antonielli L, Ayari A, Nasri-Ammar K, Knoll W, Pelosi P, Dani FR. Chemosensory proteins as putative semiochemical carriers in the desert isopod Hemilepistus reaumurii. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 162:104012. [PMID: 37743031 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104012] [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: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The order Isopoda contains both aquatic and terrestrial species, among which Hemilepistus reaumurii, which lives in arid environments and is the most adapted to terrestrial life. Olfaction has been deeply investigated in insects while it has received very limited attention in other arthropods, particularly in terrestrial crustaceans. In insects, soluble proteins belonging to two main families, Odorant Binding Proteins (OBPs) and Chemosensory Proteins (CSPs), are contained in the olfactory sensillar lymph and are suggested to act as carriers of hydrophobic semiochemicals to or from membrane-bound olfactory receptors. Other protein families, namely Nieman-Pick type 2 (NPC2) and Lipocalins (LCNs) have been also reported as putative odorant carriers in insects and other arthropod clades. In this study, we have sequenced and analysed the transcriptomes of antennae and of the first pair of legs of H. reaumurii focusing on soluble olfactory proteins. Interestingly, we have found 13 genes encoding CSPs, whose sequences differ from those of the other arthropod clades, including non-isopod crustaceans, for the presence of two additional cysteine residues, besides the four conserved ones. Binding assays on two of these proteins showed strong affinities for fatty acids and long-chain unsaturated esters and aldehydes, putative semiochemicals for this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Iannucci
- Department of Biology, University of Firenze, 50019, Firenze, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Jiao Zhu
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Center for Health & Bioresources, Bioresources Unit, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - Livio Antonielli
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Center for Health & Bioresources, Bioresources Unit, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - Anas Ayari
- Université Tunis El Manar, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Unité de Recherche de Bio-Ecologie et Systématique Evolutive, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Karima Nasri-Ammar
- Université Tunis El Manar, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Unité de Recherche de Bio-Ecologie et Systématique Evolutive, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Wolfgang Knoll
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Center for Health & Bioresources, Bioresources Unit, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - Paolo Pelosi
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Center for Health & Bioresources, Bioresources Unit, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - Francesca Romana Dani
- Department of Biology, University of Firenze, 50019, Firenze, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy.
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Ibrahim SP, Dias RO, Ferreira C, Silva CP, Terra WR. Histochemistry and transcriptomics of mucins and peritrophic membrane (PM) proteins along the midgut of a beetle with incomplete PM and their complementary function. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 162:104027. [PMID: 37832798 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104027] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The midgut of Zabrotes subfasciatus (Coleoptera) and other insects may have regions lacking a peritrophic membrane (matrix, PM) and covered with a jelly-like material known as peritrophic gel. This work was undertaken to test the hypothesis that the peritrophic gel is a vertebrate-like mucus. By histochemistry we identified mucins along the whole midgut, which contrasts with the known occurrence of PM only at the posterior midgut. We also analyzed the expression of the genes coding for mucus-forming mucins (Mf-mucins), peritrophins, chitin synthases and chitin deacetylases along the midgut and carcass (insect without midgut) by RNA-seq. Mf-mucins were identified as proteins with high O-glycosylation and multiple tandem repeats of Pro/Thr/Ser residues. Peritrophins were separated into PM proteins, cuticular proteins analogous to peritrophins (CPAPs) and ubiquitous-chitin-binding domain-(CBD)-containing proteins (UCBPs). PM proteins have at least 3, CPAP one or 3, and UCBPs have a varied number of CBDs. PM proteins are more expressed at midgut, CPAP at the carcass, and UCBP at both. The results showed that most PM proteins are mainly expressed at the posterior midgut, together with midgut chitin synthase and chitin deacetylase, and in agreement with the presence of PM only at the posterior midgut by visual inspection. The excretion of most midgut chitinase is avoided, suggesting that the shortened PM is functional. Mf-mucins are expressed along the whole midgut, probably forming the extracellular mucus layer observed by histochemistry. Thus, the lack of PM at anterior and middle midgut causes the exposure of a mucus, which may correspond to the previously described peritrophic gel. The putative functional interplay of mucus and PM is discussed. The major role of mucus is proposed to be tissue protection and of PM to enhancing digestive efficiency by allowing enzyme recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira P Ibrahim
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, C.P. 476, Florianópolis, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Renata O Dias
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade, Federal de Goiás, Av. Esperança s/n, 74690-900, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Clelia Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São, Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos P Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, C.P. 476, Florianópolis, 88040-900, Brazil; Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São, Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Walter R Terra
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São, Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Diao F, Li Y, Gao X, Luo J, Zhu X, Wang L, Zhang K, Li D, Ji J, Cui J. Response of the Propylea japonica Microbiota to Treatment with Cry1B Protein. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2008. [PMID: 38002951 PMCID: PMC10671136 DOI: 10.3390/genes14112008] [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] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Propylea japonica (Thunberg) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a dominant natural enemy of insect pests in farmland ecosystems. It also serves as an important non-target insect for environmental safety evaluations of transgenic crops. Widespread planting of transgenic crops may result in direct or indirect exposure of P. japonica to recombinant Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) protein, which may in turn affect the biological performance of this natural enemy by affecting the P. japonica microflora. However, the effects of Bt proteins (such as Cry1B) on the P. japonica microbiota are currently unclear. Here, we used a high-throughput sequencing method to investigate differences in the P. japonica microbiota resulting from treatment with Cry1B compared to a sucrose control. The results demonstrated that the P. japonica microbiome was dominated by Firmicutes at the phylum level and by Staphylococcus at the genus level. Within-sample (α) diversity indices demonstrated a high degree of consistency between the microbial communities of P. japonica treated with the sucrose control and those treated with 0.25 or 0.5 mg/mL Cry1B. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the abundance of any taxa after treatment with 0.25 mg/mL Cry1B for 24 or 48 h, and treatment with 0.5 mg/mL Cry1B for 24 or 48 h led to changes only in Staphylococcus, a member of the phylum Firmicutes. Treatment with a high Cry1B concentration (1.0 mg/mL) for 24 or 48 h caused significant changes in the abundance of specific taxa (e.g., Gemmatimonades, Patescibacteria, Thauera, and Microbacterium). However, compared with the control, most taxa remained unchanged. The statistically significant differences may have been due to the stimulatory effects of treatment with a high concentration of Cry1B. Overall, the results showed that Cry1B protein could alter endophytic bacterial community abundance, but not composition, in P. japonica. The effects of Bt proteins on endophytes and other parameters in non-target insects require further study. This study provides data support for the safety evaluation of transgenic plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengchao Diao
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (F.D.); (X.G.); (J.L.); (J.J.)
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; (Y.L.); (X.Z.); (L.W.); (K.Z.); (D.L.)
| | - Yarong Li
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; (Y.L.); (X.Z.); (L.W.); (K.Z.); (D.L.)
| | - Xueke Gao
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (F.D.); (X.G.); (J.L.); (J.J.)
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; (Y.L.); (X.Z.); (L.W.); (K.Z.); (D.L.)
| | - Junyu Luo
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (F.D.); (X.G.); (J.L.); (J.J.)
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; (Y.L.); (X.Z.); (L.W.); (K.Z.); (D.L.)
| | - Xiangzhen Zhu
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; (Y.L.); (X.Z.); (L.W.); (K.Z.); (D.L.)
| | - Li Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; (Y.L.); (X.Z.); (L.W.); (K.Z.); (D.L.)
| | - Kaixin Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; (Y.L.); (X.Z.); (L.W.); (K.Z.); (D.L.)
| | - Dongyang Li
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; (Y.L.); (X.Z.); (L.W.); (K.Z.); (D.L.)
| | - Jichao Ji
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (F.D.); (X.G.); (J.L.); (J.J.)
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; (Y.L.); (X.Z.); (L.W.); (K.Z.); (D.L.)
| | - Jinjie Cui
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (F.D.); (X.G.); (J.L.); (J.J.)
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; (Y.L.); (X.Z.); (L.W.); (K.Z.); (D.L.)
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Li D, Zaraei SO, Sbenati RM, Ravi A, Wen Y, Zeng L, Wang J, El-Gamal MI, Xu H. Synthesis and Biological Activity of Sulfamate-Adamantane Derivatives as Glucosinolate Sulfatase Inhibitors. J Agric Food Chem 2023; 71:15476-15484. [PMID: 37818663 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c04879] [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] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
The glucosinolate-myrosinase system, exclusively found in the Brassicaceae family, is a main defense strategy against insect resistance. The efficient detoxification activity of glucosinolate sulfatases (GSSs) has successfully supported the feeding of Plutella xylostella on cruciferous plants. With the activity of GSSs hampered in P. xylostella, the toxic isothiocyanates produced from glucosinolates severely impair larval growth and adult reproduction. Therefore, inhibitors of GSSs have been suggested as an alternative approach to controlling P. xylostella. Herein, we synthesized eight adamantyl-possessing sulfamate derivatives as novel inhibitors of GSSs. Adam-20-S exhibited the most potent GSS inhibitory activity, with an IC50 value of 9.04 mg/L. The suppression of GSSs by Adam-20-S impaired glucosinolate metabolism to produce more toxic isothiocyanates in P. xylostella. Consequently, the growth and development of P. xylostella were significantly hindered when feeding on the host plant. Our study may help facilitate the development of a comprehensive pest management strategy that combines insect detoxification enzyme inhibitors with plant chemical defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehong Li
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Seyed-Omar Zaraei
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rawan M Sbenati
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anil Ravi
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yingjie Wen
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingda Zeng
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiali Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Mohammed I El-Gamal
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Hanhong Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, People's Republic of China
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Rivera-Ramírez A, Salgado-Morales R, Onofre-Lemus J, García-Gómez BI, Lanz-Mendoza H, Dantán-González E. Evaluation and Characterization of the Insecticidal Activity and Synergistic Effects of Different GroEL Proteins from Bacteria Associated with Entomopathogenic Nematodes on Galleria mellonella. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:623. [PMID: 37999486 PMCID: PMC10674725 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15110623] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
GroEL is a chaperonin that helps other proteins fold correctly. However, alternative activities, such as acting as an insect toxin, have also been discovered. This work evaluates the chaperonin and insecticidal activity of different GroEL proteins from entomopathogenic nematodes on G. mellonella. The ability to synergize with the ExoA toxin of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was also investigated. The GroELXn protein showed the highest insecticidal activity among the different GroELs. In addition, it was able to significantly activate the phenoloxidase system of the target insects. This could tell us about the mechanism by which it exerts its toxicity on insects. GroEL proteins can enhance the toxic activity of the ExoA toxin, which could be related to its chaperonin activity. However, there is a significant difference in the synergistic effect that is more related to its alternative activity as an insecticidal toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Rivera-Ramírez
- Center for Population Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca 62100, Mexico;
| | - Rosalba Salgado-Morales
- Biotechnology Research Center, Autonomous University of the State of Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Chamilpa, Cuernavaca 62209, Mexico; (R.S.-M.); (J.O.-L.)
| | - Janette Onofre-Lemus
- Biotechnology Research Center, Autonomous University of the State of Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Chamilpa, Cuernavaca 62209, Mexico; (R.S.-M.); (J.O.-L.)
| | - Blanca I. García-Gómez
- Biotechnology Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, A.P. 510-3, Cuernavaca 62250, Mexico;
| | - Humberto Lanz-Mendoza
- Center for Research on Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca 62100, Mexico;
| | - Edgar Dantán-González
- Biotechnology Research Center, Autonomous University of the State of Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Chamilpa, Cuernavaca 62209, Mexico; (R.S.-M.); (J.O.-L.)
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Yan ZW, Chen FY, Zhang X, Cai WJ, Chen CY, Liu J, Wu MN, Liu NJ, Ma B, Wang MY, Chao DY, Gao CJ, Mao YB. Endocytosis-mediated entry of a caterpillar effector into plants is countered by Jasmonate. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6551. [PMID: 37848424 PMCID: PMC10582130 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42226-1] [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: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Insects and pathogens release effectors into plant cells to weaken the host defense or immune response. While the imports of some bacterial and fungal effectors into plants have been previously characterized, the mechanisms of how caterpillar effectors enter plant cells remain a mystery. Using live cell imaging and real-time protein tracking, we show that HARP1, an effector from the oral secretions of cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), enters plant cells via protein-mediated endocytosis. The entry of HARP1 into a plant cell depends on its interaction with vesicle trafficking components including CTL1, PATL2, and TET8. The plant defense hormone jasmonate (JA) restricts HARP1 import by inhibiting endocytosis and HARP1 loading into endosomes. Combined with the previous report that HARP1 inhibits JA signaling output in host plants, it unveils that the effector and JA establish a defense and counter-defense loop reflecting the robust arms race between plants and insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Wei Yan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology (SIPPE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China
- University of CAS, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang-Yan Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology (SIPPE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China
- University of CAS, Shanghai, China
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CEMPS/SIPPE, CAS, Shanghai, China
| | - Xian Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology (SIPPE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China
- University of CAS, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Juan Cai
- Core Facility Center of CEMPS/SIPPE, CAS, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun-Yu Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology (SIPPE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China
- University of CAS, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology (SIPPE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Man-Ni Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology (SIPPE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China
- University of CAS, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning-Jing Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CEMPS/SIPPE, CAS, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CEMPS/SIPPE, CAS, Shanghai, China
| | - Mu-Yang Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology (SIPPE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China
| | - Dai-Yin Chao
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CEMPS/SIPPE, CAS, Shanghai, China
| | - Cai-Ji Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Plant Development, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University (SCNU), Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Bo Mao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences (CEMPS), Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology (SIPPE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China.
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Cochran JK, Banks C, Buchwalter DB. Respirometry reveals major lineage-based differences in the energetics of osmoregulation in aquatic invertebrates. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb246376. [PMID: 37767711 PMCID: PMC10629685 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246376] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
All freshwater organisms are challenged to control their internal balance of water and ions in strongly hypotonic environments. We compared the influence of external salinity on the oxygen consumption rates (ṀO2) of three species of freshwater insects, one snail and two crustaceans. Consistent with available literature, we found a clear decrease in ṀO2 with increasing salinity in the snail Elimia sp. and crustaceans Hyalella azteca and Gammarus pulex (r5=-0.90, P=0.03). However, we show here for the first time that metabolic rate was unchanged by salinity in the aquatic insects, whereas ion transport rates were positively correlated with higher salinities. In contrast, when we examined the ionic influx rates in the freshwater snail and crustaceans, we found that Ca uptake rates were highest under the most dilute conditions, while Na uptake rates increased with salinity. In G. pulex exposed to a serially diluted ion matrix, Ca uptake rates were positively associated with ṀO2 (r5=-0.93, P=0.02). This positive association between Ca uptake rate and ṀO2 was also observed when conductivity was held constant but Ca concentration was manipulated (1.7-17.3 mg Ca l-1) (r5=0.94, P=0.05). This finding potentially implicates the cost of calcium uptake as a driver of increased metabolic rate under dilute conditions in organisms with calcified exoskeletons and suggests major phyletic differences in osmoregulatory physiology. Freshwater insects may be energetically challenged by higher salinities, while lower salinities may be more challenging for other freshwater taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie K. Cochran
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Catelyn Banks
- North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, 1219 Broad St, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - David B. Buchwalter
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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Zhao S, Liu Y, Li H, Li Z, Hao D. Spatiotemporal Patterns of Five Small Heat Shock Protein Genes in Hyphantria cunea in Response to Thermal Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15176. [PMID: 37894858 PMCID: PMC10606853 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015176] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyphantria cunea (Drury), a destructive polyphagous pest, has been spreading southward after invading northern China, which indicates that this insect species is facing a huge thermal challenge. Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) function as ATP-independent molecular chaperones that protect insects from heat stress damage. In order to explore the role of sHSPs in the thermotolerance of H. cunea, five novel sHSP genes of H. cunea were cloned, including an orthologous gene (HcHSP21.4) and four species-specific sHSP genes (HcHSP18.9, HcHSP20.1, HcHSP21.5, and HcHSP29.8). Bioinformatics analysis showed that the proteins encoded by these five HcHSPs contained typical α-crystallin domains. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed the ubiquitous expression of all HcHSPs across all developmental stages of H. cunea, with the highest expression levels in pupae and adults. Four species-specific HcHSPs were sensitive to high temperatures. The expression levels of HcHSPs were significantly up-regulated under heat stress and increased with increasing temperature. The expression levels of HcHSPs in eggs exhibited an initial up-regulation in response to a temperature of 40 °C. In other developmental stages, the transcription of HcHSPs was immediately up-regulated at 30 °C or 35 °C. HcHSPs transcripts were abundant in the cuticle before and after heat shock. The expression of HcHSP21.4 showed weak responses to heat stress and constitutive expression in the tissues tested. These results suggest that most of the HcHSPs are involved in high-temperature response and may also have functions in the normal development and reproduction of H. cunea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyue Zhao
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (S.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.L.); (Z.L.)
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Yukun Liu
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (S.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.L.); (Z.L.)
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Hui Li
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (S.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.L.); (Z.L.)
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Zichun Li
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (S.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.L.); (Z.L.)
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Dejun Hao
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (S.Z.); (Y.L.); (H.L.); (Z.L.)
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
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Häcker I, Rehling T, Schlosser H, Mayorga-Ch D, Heilig M, Yan Y, Armbruster PA, Schetelig MF. Improved piggyBac Transformation with Capped Transposase mRNA in Pest Insects. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15155. [PMID: 37894833 PMCID: PMC10606561 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015155] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Creating transgenic insects is a key technology in insect genetics and molecular biology. A widely used instrument in insect transgenesis is the piggyBac transposase, resulting in essentially random genomic integrations. In contrast, site-specific recombinases allow the targeted integration of the transgene construct into a specific genomic target site. Both strategies, however, often face limitations due to low transgenesis efficiencies. We aimed to enhance transgenesis efficiencies by utilizing capped mRNA as a source of transposase or recombinase instead of a helper plasmid. A systematic comparison of transgenesis efficiencies in Aedes mosquitoes, as models for hard-to-transform insects, showed that suppling piggyBac transposase as mRNA increased the average transformation efficiency in Aedes aegypti from less than 5% with the plasmid source to about 50% with mRNA. Similar high activity was observed in Ae. albopictus with pBac mRNA. No efficiency differences between plasmid and mRNA were observed in recombination experiments. Furthermore, a hyperactive version of piggyBac transposase delivered as a plasmid did not improve the transformation efficiency in Ae. aegypti or the agricultural pest Drosophila suzukii. We believe that the use of mRNA has strong potential for enhancing piggyBac transformation efficiencies in other mosquitoes and important agricultural pests, such as tephritids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Häcker
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Winchesterstr. 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany (H.S.); (Y.Y.); (M.F.S.)
- Liebig Centre for Agroecology & Climate Impact Research, 35394 Giessen, Germany
| | - Tanja Rehling
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Winchesterstr. 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany (H.S.); (Y.Y.); (M.F.S.)
- Liebig Centre for Agroecology & Climate Impact Research, 35394 Giessen, Germany
| | - Henrik Schlosser
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Winchesterstr. 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany (H.S.); (Y.Y.); (M.F.S.)
| | - Daniela Mayorga-Ch
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Winchesterstr. 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany (H.S.); (Y.Y.); (M.F.S.)
| | - Mara Heilig
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Streets NW, Washington, DC 20057-1229, USA; (M.H.); (P.A.A.)
| | - Ying Yan
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Winchesterstr. 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany (H.S.); (Y.Y.); (M.F.S.)
- Liebig Centre for Agroecology & Climate Impact Research, 35394 Giessen, Germany
| | - Peter A. Armbruster
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 37th and O Streets NW, Washington, DC 20057-1229, USA; (M.H.); (P.A.A.)
| | - Marc F. Schetelig
- Department of Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Winchesterstr. 2, 35394 Giessen, Germany (H.S.); (Y.Y.); (M.F.S.)
- Liebig Centre for Agroecology & Climate Impact Research, 35394 Giessen, Germany
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48
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Asahi M, Yamato K, Ozoe F, Ozoe Y. External amino acid residues of insect GABA receptor channels dictate the action of the isoxazoline ectoparasiticide fluralaner. Pest Manag Sci 2023; 79:4078-4082. [PMID: 37288963 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7606] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fluralaner is the first isoxazoline ectoparasiticide developed to protect companion animals from fleas and ticks. Fluralaner primarily inhibits arthropod γ-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABARs), which are ligand-gated ion channels comprising five subunits arranged around the channel pore. We previously reported that the action site of fluralaner resides at the M1-M3 transmembrane interface between adjacent GABAR subunits. To investigate whether fluralaner interacts with the second transmembrane segment (M2) located deep in the interface, we generated four housefly RDL GABAR mutants with non-conservative amino acid substitutions in the M2 region. RESULTS Electrophysiological analysis of GABARs expressed in Xenopus oocytes indicated that S313A and S314A mutants exhibited fluralaner sensitivities similar to that of the wild type. M312S mutant exhibited approximately seven-fold lower sensitivity than that of the wild type. Notably, the N316L mutant was almost insensitive to fluralaner. CONCLUSION The findings of this study indicate that the conserved external amino acid residues of insect GABAR channels play a critical role in the antagonistic effect of fluralaner. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miho Asahi
- Biological Research Laboratories, Nissan Chemical Corporation, Shiraoka, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kohei Yamato
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Shimane University, Matsue, Shimane, Japan
| | - Fumiyo Ozoe
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Shimane University, Matsue, Shimane, Japan
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Science Research, Organization for Research and Academic Information, Shimane University, Matsue, Shimane, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Ozoe
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Shimane University, Matsue, Shimane, Japan
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Science Research, Organization for Research and Academic Information, Shimane University, Matsue, Shimane, Japan
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Li S, Wang J, Tian X, Toufeeq S, Huang W. Immunometabolic regulation during the presence of microorganisms and parasitoids in insects. Front Immunol 2023; 14:905467. [PMID: 37818375 PMCID: PMC10560992 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.905467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Multicellular organisms live in environments containing diverse nutrients and a wide variety of microbial communities. On the one hand, the immune response of organisms can protect from the intrusion of exogenous microorganisms. On the other hand, the dynamic coordination of anabolism and catabolism of organisms is a necessary factor for growth and reproduction. Since the production of an immune response is an energy-intensive process, the activation of immune cells is accompanied by metabolic transformations that enable the rapid production of ATP and new biomolecules. In insects, the coordination of immunity and metabolism is the basis for insects to cope with environmental challenges and ensure normal growth, development and reproduction. During the activation of insect immune tissues by pathogenic microorganisms, not only the utilization of organic resources can be enhanced, but also the activated immune cells can usurp the nutrients of non-immune tissues by generating signals. At the same time, insects also have symbiotic bacteria in their body, which can affect insect physiology through immune-metabolic regulation. This paper reviews the research progress of insect immune-metabolism regulation from the perspective of insect tissues, such as fat body, gut and hemocytes. The effects of microorganisms (pathogenic bacteria/non-pathogenic bacteria) and parasitoids on immune-metabolism were elaborated here, which provide guidance to uncover immunometabolism mechanisms in insects and mammals. This work also provides insights to utilize immune-metabolism for the formulation of pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirong Li
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- College of Life Sciences, Yan’an University, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jing Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Shangrao Normal University, Shangrao, China
| | - Xing Tian
- College of Life Sciences, Yan’an University, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shahzad Toufeeq
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wuren Huang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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50
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Zhao Z, Chen W, Dong Y, Yang Q, Lu H, Zhang J. Discovery of Potent N-Methylcarbamoylguanidino Insect Growth Regulators Targeting OfChtI and OfChi-h. J Agric Food Chem 2023; 71:12431-12439. [PMID: 37556680 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c02448] [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] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Insect growth regulators (IGRs) are important insecticides that reduce the harm caused by insects to crops by controlling pest population growth. Chitinases are closely associated with insect growth and are among the most important glycoside hydrolases. Thus, Chitinase is an attractive target for the development of novel insecticides. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of novel and highly potent insecticides targeting OfChtI and OfChi-h in insects. Enzymatic activity tests showed that most compounds exhibited a potent inhibitory activity against OfCh-h. Binding mode analysis revealed that the target compounds bound to the -1 active subsite of Chitinase through the key pharmacophore N-methylcarbamoylguanidino. Compounds 6e, 6g, 6j, and 6o significantly affected the growth and development of Plutella xylostella at 200 mg/L. Our study provides novel insights for the development of potent insecticide-targeted Chitinase combinations based on receptors and ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiang Zhao
- Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhong Dong
- Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection and Shenzhen Agricultural Genome Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Huizhe Lu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China
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