TY - JOUR AU - Lv, J.-L. AU - Lai, W.-Q. AU - Gong, Y.-Q. AU - Zheng, K.-Y. AU - Zhang, X.-Y. AU - Wang, X.-Y. AU - Dai, L.-S. AU - Li, M.-W. TI - Studying the role of Bombyx mori molybdenum cofactor sulfurase in Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus infection JF - INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY J2 - INSECT MOL BIOL PY - 2024 SN - 0962-1075 DO - 10.1111/imb.12895 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/34743845 ID - 34743845 N1 - Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Jiangsu, Zhenjiang, China The Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Jiangsu, Zhenjiang, China School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China Export Date: 18 March 2024 CODEN: IMBIE Correspondence Address: Wang, X.-Y.; School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu, China; email: xueyangwang@just.edu.cn Correspondence Address: Li, M.-W.; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, Jiangsu, China; email: mwli@just.edu.cn Correspondence Address: Dai, L.-S.; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang, China; email: lishang2016@wmu.edu.cn Funding details: SJCX23_2235 Funding text 1: This work was supported by the Open Fund of the Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement (KL202202) and the Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province (SJCX23_2235). AB - Molybdenum cofactor sulfurase (MoCoS) is a key gene involved in the uric acid metabolic pathway that activates xanthine dehydrogenase to synthesise uric acid. Uric acid is harmful to mammals but plays crucial roles in insects, one of which is the immune responses. However, the function of Bombyx mori MoCoS in response to BmNPV remains unclear. In this study, BmMoCoS was found to be relatively highly expressed in embryonic development, gonads and the Malpighian tubules. In addition, the expression levels of BmMoCoS were significantly upregulated in three silkworm strains with different levels of resistance after virus infection, suggesting a close link between them. Furthermore, RNAi and overexpression studies showed that BmMoCoS was involved in resistance to BmNPV infection, and its antivirus effects were found to be related to the regulation of uric acid metabolism, which was uncovered by inosine- and febuxostat-coupled RNAi and overexpression. Finally, the BmMoCoS-mediated uric acid pathway was preliminarily confirmed to be a potential target to protect silkworms from BmNPV infection. Overall, this study provides new evidence for elucidating the molecular mechanism of silkworms in response to BmNPV infection and new strategies for the prevention of viral infections in sericulture. © 2024 Royal Entomological Society. LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Dai, Minli AU - Jiang, Zhe AU - Li, Fanchi AU - Wei, Jing AU - Li, Bing TI - A parasitoid regulates 20E synthesis and antibacterial activity of the host for development by inducing host nitric oxide production JF - INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY J2 - INSECT MOL BIOL PY - 2024 PG - 12 SN - 0962-1075 DO - 10.1111/imb.12890 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/34627380 ID - 34627380 LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Maleszka, Ryszard TI - Reminiscences on the honeybee genome project and the rise of epigenetic concepts in insect science JF - INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY J2 - INSECT MOL BIOL PY - 2024 PG - 13 SN - 0962-1075 DO - 10.1111/imb.12888 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/34559252 ID - 34559252 AB - The sequencing of the honeybee genome in 2006 was an important technological and logistic achievement experience. But what benefits have flown from the honeybee genome project? What does the annotated genomic assembly mean for the study of behavioural complexity and organismal function in honeybees? Here, I discuss several lines of research that have arisen from this project and highlight the rapidly expanding studies on insect epigenomics, emergent properties of royal jelly, the mechanism of nutritional control of development and the contribution of epigenomic regulation to the evolution of sociality. I also argue that the term 'insect epigenetics' needs to be carefully redefined to reflect the diversity of epigenomic toolkits in insects and the impact of lineage-specific innovations on organismal outcomes. The honeybee genome project helped pioneer advances in social insect molecular biology, and fuelled breakthrough research into the role of flexible epigenomic control systems in linking genotype to phenotype.The honeybee genome project was an important milestone in social insect research that opened new possibilities for the community's quest to study social evolution at molecular and cellular levels.Among new lines of research, the epigenomic modifications to DNA, histones and RNAs gained special prominence as potential drivers of phenotypic and behavioural plasticity.Genetic manipulations have been made possible with several successful applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 approach to knock out genes in sex determination, brain function and royal jelly protein expression.image LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Yun, Seung-Hwan AU - Jang, Hyo Sang AU - Ahn, Seung-Joon AU - Price, Briana E. AU - Hasegawa, Daniel K. AU - Choi, Man-Yeon TI - Identification and characterisation of PRXamide peptides in the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis JF - INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY J2 - INSECT MOL BIOL PY - 2023 PG - 12 SN - 0962-1075 DO - 10.1111/imb.12859 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/34358104 ID - 34358104 AB - 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. LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Yadav, Amarish K. AU - Asokan, Ramasamy AU - Yamamoto, Akihiko AU - Patil, Anandrao A. AU - Scott, Maxwell J. TI - Expansion of the genetic toolbox for manipulation of the global crop pest Drosophila suzukii: Isolation and assessment of eye colour mutant strains JF - INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY J2 - INSECT MOL BIOL PY - 2023 PG - 10 SN - 0962-1075 DO - 10.1111/imb.12879 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/34289340 ID - 34289340 AB - Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), commonly called spotted wing Drosophila, is an important agricultural pest recognised worldwide. D. suzukii is a pest of soft-skinned fruits as females can lay eggs in ripening fruit before harvest. While strains for genetic biocontrol of D. suzukii have been made, the development of transgenic D. suzukii strains and their further screening remain a challenge partly due to the lack of phenotypically trackable genetic-markers, such as those widely used with the model genetic organism D. melanogaster. Here, we have used CRISPR/Cas9 to introduce heritable mutations in the eye colour genes white, cinnabar and sepia, which are located on the X, second and third chromosomes, respectively. Strains were obtained, which were homozygous for a single mutation. Genotyping of the established strains showed insertion and/or deletions (indels) at the targeted sites. A strain homozygous for mutations in cinnabar and sepia showed a pale-yellow eye colour at eclosion but darkened to a sepia colour after a week. The fecundity and fertility of some of the cinnabar and sepia strains were comparable with the wild type. Although white mutant males were previously reported to be sterile, we found that sterility is not fully penetrant and we have been able to maintain white-eyed strains for over a year. The cinnabar, sepia and white mutant strains developed in this study should facilitate future genetic studies in D. suzukii and the development of strains for genetic control of this pest. LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Xu, Danni AU - Tong, Yuxin AU - Chen, Bosheng AU - Li, Baoling AU - Wang, Shengyin AU - Zhang, Dayu TI - The influence of first desaturase subfamily genes on fatty acid synthesis, desiccation tolerance and inter-caste nutrient transfer in the termite Coptotermes formosanus JF - INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY J2 - INSECT MOL BIOL PY - 2023 PG - 14 SN - 0962-1075 DO - 10.1111/imb.12877 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/34261000 ID - 34261000 AB - Desaturase enzymes play an essential role in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). In this study, we identified seven "first desaturase" subfamily genes (Cfor-desatA1, Cfor-desatA2-a, Cfor-desatA2-b, Cfor-desatB-a, Cfor-desatB-b, Cfor-desatD and Cfor-desatE) from the Formosan subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus. These desaturases were highly expressed in the cuticle and fat body of C. formosanus. Inhibition of either the Cfor-desatA2-a or Cfor-desatA2-b gene resulted in a significant decrease in the contents of fatty acids (C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 and C18:2) in worker castes. Moreover, we observed that inhibition of most of desaturase genes identified in this study had a negative impact on the survival rate and desiccation tolerance of workers. Interestingly, when normal soldiers were reared together with dsCfor-desatA2-b-treated workers, they exhibited higher mortality, suggesting that desaturase had an impact on trophallaxis among C. formosanus castes. Our findings shed light on the novel roles of desaturase family genes in the eusocial termite C. formosanus. LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Rozo-Lopez, Paula AU - Parker, Benjamin J. TI - Why do viruses make aphids winged? JF - INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY J2 - INSECT MOL BIOL PY - 2023 PG - 9 SN - 0962-1075 DO - 10.1111/imb.12860 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/34257957 ID - 34257957 AB - Aphids are hosts to diverse viruses and are important vectors of plant pathogens. The spread of viruses is heavily influenced by aphid movement and behaviour. Consequently, wing plasticity (where individuals can be winged or wingless depending on environmental conditions) is an important factor in the spread of aphid-associated viruses. We review several fascinating systems where aphid-vectored plant viruses interact with aphid wing plasticity, both indirectly by manipulating plant physiology and directly through molecular interactions with plasticity pathways. We also cover recent examples where aphid-specific viruses and endogenous viral elements within aphid genomes influence wing formation. We discuss why unrelated viruses with different transmission modes have convergently evolved to manipulate wing formation in aphids and whether this is advantageous for both host and virus. We argue that interactions with viruses are likely shaping the evolution of wing plasticity within and across aphid species, and we discuss the potential importance of these findings for aphid biocontrol. LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Chen, Wen-Feng AU - Chi, Xue-Peng AU - Song, Hong-Yu AU - Wang, Hong-Fang AU - Wang, Ying AU - Liu, Zhen-Guo AU - Xu, Bao-Hua TI - Ame-miR-980-3p participates in autophagy-mediated midgut remodelling in Apis mellifera via targeting Atg2B JF - INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY J2 - INSECT MOL BIOL PY - 2023 PG - 13 SN - 0962-1075 DO - 10.1111/imb.12869 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/34155863 ID - 34155863 N1 - Funding Agency and Grant Number: This work was funded by the special funds for the Efficient Ecological Agriculture Innovation Project of the Taishan Industry Leading Talent Program (No. LJNY202003), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 32272937), the Earmarked fund for C [32272937]; special funds for the Efficient Ecological Agriculture Innovation Project of the Taishan Industry Leading Talent Program [CARS-44]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [ZR2022QC071]; Earmarked fund for China Agriculture Research System; Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province; [LJNY202003] Funding text: This work was funded by the special funds for the Efficient Ecological Agriculture Innovation Project of the Taishan Industry Leading Talent Program (No. LJNY202003), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 32272937), the Earmarked fund for China Agriculture Research System (CARS-44) and the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2022QC071). AB - Autophagy is a process that serves to degrade damaged proteins and organelles, thereby promoting cell homeostasis, differentiation, development and survival. Many miRNAs have been found to have regulatory roles in autophagy. In insects, it has been shown that autophagy is involved in hormone-regulated programmed cell death during metamorphic midgut remodelling. However, whether this is also true during the remodelling of the honey bee midgut is unclear. In the present study, we explored the relationship between autophagy and midgut remodelling and sought to identify miRNAs involved in this physiological process. We found that autophagy occurred during midgut remodelling and that the inhibition of autophagy resulted in midgut dysplasia in prepupae. Differentially expressed miRNAs enriched in the autophagy signalling pathway during midgut remodelling were identified by small RNA-seq. Ame-miR-980-3p, which targets the autophagy-related gene Atg2B, was screened out. Furthermore, abnormal expression of ame-miR-980-3p in the pupal stage led to the thinning of the midgut wall of newly emerged bees (NE). When ame-miR-980-3p expression was inhibited, the intestinal villi of NE bees became significantly shorter and sparse, and the lipid signal in the peritrophic matrix of Pb almost disappeared, indicating that the adult midgut was underdeveloped and the lipid absorption ability was weakened. Taken together, ame-miR-980-3p targeted Atg2B to participate in the regulation of midgut autophagy in the pupae, and the abnormal expression of ame-miR-980-3p would interfere with cell proliferation and death in the process of midgut remodelling, hinder the formation of adult midgut and eventually lead to adult midgut dysplasia and affect the lipid absorption function of the midgut in Apis mellifera. LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Tuerlings, Tina AU - Hettiarachchi, Amanda AU - Joossens, Marie AU - Geslin, Benoit AU - Vereecken, Nicolas J. J. AU - Michez, Denis AU - Smagghe, Guy AU - Vandamme, Peter TI - Microbiota and pathogens in an invasive bee: Megachile sculpturalis from native and invaded regions JF - INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY J2 - INSECT MOL BIOL PY - 2023 PG - 14 SN - 0962-1075 DO - 10.1111/imb.12849 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/33950563 ID - 33950563 AB - The present study aimed to characterise the bacterial, fungal and parasite gut community of the invasive bee Megachile sculpturalis sampled from native (Japan) and invaded (USA and France) regions via 16S rRNA and ITS2 amplicon sequencing and PCR detection of bee microparasites. The bacterial and fungal gut microbiota communities in bees from invaded regions were highly similar and differed strongly from those obtained in Japan. Core amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) within each population represented environmental micro-organisms commonly present in bee-associated niches that likely provide beneficial functions to their host. Although the overall bacterial and fungal communities of the invasive M. sculpturalis in France and the co-foraging native bees Anthidium florentinum and Halictus scabiosae, were significantly different, five out of eight core ASVs were shared suggesting common environmental sources and potential transmission. None of the 46 M. sculpturalis bees analysed harboured known bee pathogens, while microparasite infections were common in A. florentinum, and rare in H. scabiosae. A common shift in the gut microbiota of M. sculpturalis in invaded regions as a response to changed environmental conditions, or a founder effect coupled to population re-establishment in the invaded regions may explain the observed microbial community profiles and the absence of parasites. While the role of pathogen pressure in shaping biological invasions is still debated, the absence of natural enemies may contribute to the invasion success of M. sculpturalis. LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Dai, Zhenkai AU - Asgari, Sassan TI - ALKBH8 as a potential N-6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) eraser in insects JF - INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY J2 - INSECT MOL BIOL PY - 2023 PG - 8 SN - 0962-1075 DO - 10.1111/imb.12843 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/33883048 ID - 33883048 AB - The N-6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) machinery functions through three groups of proteins in eukaryotic cells, including m(6)A writers, erasers and readers. The m(6)A cellular machinery has mostly been characterised in mammalian species, and the relevant literature on insects is currently scant. While homologues of m(6)A writers and readers have been reported from insects, no erasers have been described so far. Here, using BLAST search, we searched for potential erasers in insects. While we found homologues of human m(6)A eraser ALKBH5 in termites, beetles and true bugs, they could not be found in representative dipteran and lepidopteran species. However, a potential m(6)A eraser, ALKBH8, was identified and experimentally investigated. Our results showed that ALKBH8 can reduce the m(6)A levels of Aedes aegypti and Drosophila melanogaster RNAs, suggesting that AeALKBH8 could be a candidate m(6)A eraser in insects. LA - English DB - MTMT ER -