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14 pages, 1758 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evolution of a Cockroach Allergen into the Major Protein of Termite Royal Jelly

by Jan A. Veenstra

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(12), 10311; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241210311 - 18 Jun 2023

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Termites live in colonies, and their members belong to different castes that each have their specific role within the termite society. In well-established colonies of higher termites, the only food the founding female, the queen, receives is saliva from workers; such queens can [...] Read more.

Termites live in colonies, and their members belong to different castes that each have their specific role within the termite society. In well-established colonies of higher termites, the only food the founding female, the queen, receives is saliva from workers; such queens can live for many years and produce up to 10,000 eggs per day. In higher termites, worker saliva must thus constitute a complete diet and therein resembles royal jelly produced by the hypopharyngeal glands of honeybee workers that serves as food for their queens; indeed, it might as well be called termite royal jelly. However, whereas the composition of honeybee royal jelly is well established, that of worker termite saliva in higher termites remains largely unknown. In lower termites, cellulose-digesting enzymes constitute the major proteins in worker saliva, but these enzymes are absent in higher termites. Others identified a partial protein sequence of the major saliva protein of a higher termite and identified it as a homolog of a cockroach allergen. Publicly available genome and transcriptome sequences from termites make it possible to study this protein in more detail. The gene coding the termite ortholog was duplicated, and the new paralog was preferentially expressed in the salivary gland. The amino acid sequence of the original allergen lacks the essential amino acids methionine, cysteine and tryptophan, but the salivary paralog incorporated these amino acids, thus allowing it to become more nutritionally balanced. The gene is found in both lower and higher termites, but it is in the latter that the salivary paralog gene got reamplified, facilitating an even higher expression of the allergen. This protein is not expressed in soldiers, and, like the major royal jelly proteins in honeybees, it is expressed in young but not old workers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Ecology, Physiology and Biochemistry of Insects 3.0)

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12 pages, 1391 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

SDS-PAGE-Based Quantitative Assay of Hemolymph Proteins in Honeybees: Progress and Prospects for Field Application

by Gloria Isani, Elisa Bellei, Cecilia Rudelli, Riccardo Cabbri, Enea Ferlizza and Giulia Andreani

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(12), 10216; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241210216 - 16 Jun 2023

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Abstract

In human and veterinary medicine, serum proteins are considered to be useful biomarkers for assessing the health and nutritional status of the organism. Honeybee hemolymph has a unique proteome that could represent a source of valuable biomarkers. Therefore, the aims of this study [...] Read more.

In human and veterinary medicine, serum proteins are considered to be useful biomarkers for assessing the health and nutritional status of the organism. Honeybee hemolymph has a unique proteome that could represent a source of valuable biomarkers. Therefore, the aims of this study were to separate and identify the most abundant proteins in the hemolymph of worker honeybees to suggest a panel of these proteins that could represent useful biomarkers for assessing the nutritional and health status of the colonies and, finally, to analyze them in different periods of the year. Four apiaries were selected in the province of Bologna, and the bees were analyzed in April, May, July, and November. Thirty specimens from three hives of each apiary were sampled and their hemolymph was collected. The most represented bands obtained after 1D sodium-dodecyl-sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) were cut from the gel, and the proteins were identified using an LC-ESI-Q-MS/MS System. A total of twelve proteins were unmistakably identified; the two most abundant proteins were apolipophorin and vitellogenin, which are known biomarkers of bee trophic and health status. The two other proteins identified were transferrin and hexamerin 70a, the first being involved in iron homeostasis and the second being a storage protein. Most of these proteins showed an increase from April to November, mirroring the physiological changes of honeybees during the productive season. The current study suggests a panel of biomarkers from honeybee hemolymph worth testing under different physiological and pathological field conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Ecology, Physiology and Biochemistry of Insects 3.0)

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13 pages, 2534 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Histone H3 and H4 Modifications Point to Transcriptional Suppression as a Component of Winter Freeze Tolerance in the Gall Fly Eurosta solidaginis

by Tighe Bloskie and Kenneth B. Storey

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(12), 10153; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241210153 - 15 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1007

Abstract

The goldenrod gall fly (Eurosta solidaginis) is a well-studied model of insect freeze tolerance. In situations of prolonged winter subzero temperatures, larvae of E. solidaginis accept ice penetration throughout extracellular spaces while protecting the intracellular environment by producing extreme amounts of glycerol [...] Read more.

The goldenrod gall fly (Eurosta solidaginis) is a well-studied model of insect freeze tolerance. In situations of prolonged winter subzero temperatures, larvae of E. solidaginis accept ice penetration throughout extracellular spaces while protecting the intracellular environment by producing extreme amounts of glycerol and sorbitol as cryoprotectants. Hypometabolism (diapause) is implemented, and energy use is reprioritized to essential pathways. Gene transcription is one energy-expensive process likely suppressed over the winter, in part, due to epigenetic controls. The present study profiled the prevalence of 24 histone H3/H4 modifications of E. solidaginis larvae after 3-week acclimations to decreasing environmental temperatures (5 °C, −5 °C and −15 °C). Using immunoblotting, the data show freeze-mediated reductions (p < 0.05) in seven permissive histone modifications (H3K27me1, H4K20me1, H3K9ac, H3K14ac, H3K27ac, H4K8ac, H3R26me2a). Along with the maintenance of various repressive marks, the data are indicative of a suppressed transcriptional state at subzero temperatures. Elevated nuclear levels of histone H4, but not histone H3, were also observed in response to both cold and freeze acclimation. Together, the present study provides evidence for epigenetic-mediated transcriptional suppression in support of the winter diapause state and freeze tolerance of E. solidaginis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Ecology, Physiology and Biochemistry of Insects 3.0)

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14 pages, 806 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Karyotype Evolution in Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae): The Role of Chromosomal Rearrangements in the Diversification of Chagas Disease Vectors

by Yago Visinho dos Reis, Jader de Oliveira, Fernanda Fernandez Madeira, Amanda Ravazi, Ana Beatriz Bortolozo de Oliveira, Isadora da Silva Bittinelli, Luiza Maria Grzyb Delgado, Maria Tercília Vilela de Azeredo-Oliveira, João Aristeu da Rosa, Cleber Galvão and Kaio Cesar Chaboli Alevi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(7), 6350; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076350 - 28 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1463

Abstract

Several cytogenetic studies have already been performed in Triatominae, such that different karyotypes could be characterized (ranging from 2n = 21 to 25 chromosomes), being the changes in the number of chromosomes related mainly to fusion and fission events. These changes have been [...] Read more.

Several cytogenetic studies have already been performed in Triatominae, such that different karyotypes could be characterized (ranging from 2n = 21 to 25 chromosomes), being the changes in the number of chromosomes related mainly to fusion and fission events. These changes have been associated with reproductive isolation and speciation events in other insect groups. Thus, we evaluated whether different karyotypes could act in the reproductive isolation of triatomines and we analyzed how the events of karyotypic evolution occurred along the diversification of these vectors. For this, experimental crosses were carried out between triatomine species with different karyotypes. Furthermore, based on a phylogeny with 88 triatomine taxa (developed with different molecular markers), a reconstruction of ancestral karyotypes and of anagenetic and cladogenetic events related to karyotypic alterations was performed through the ChromoSSE chromosomal evolution model. All crosses performed did not result in hybrids (prezygotic isolation in both directions). Our modeling results suggest that during Triatominae diversification, at least nine cladogenetic events may be associated with karyotype change. Thus, we emphasize that these alterations in the number of chromosomes can act as a prezygotic barrier in Triatominae (karyotypic isolation), being important evolutionary events during the diversification of the species of Chagas disease vectors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Ecology, Physiology and Biochemistry of Insects 3.0)

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11 pages, 1490 KiB

Open AccessArticle

H3K4me1 Modification Functions in Caste Differentiation in Honey Bees

by Yong Zhang, Zhen Li, Xujiang He, Zilong Wang and Zhijiang Zeng

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(7), 6217; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076217 - 25 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1497

Abstract

Honey bees are important species for the study of epigenetics. Female honey bee larvae with the same genotype can develop into phenotypically distinct organisms (sterile workers and fertile queens) depending on conditions such as diet. Previous studies have shown that DNA methylation and [...] Read more.

Honey bees are important species for the study of epigenetics. Female honey bee larvae with the same genotype can develop into phenotypically distinct organisms (sterile workers and fertile queens) depending on conditions such as diet. Previous studies have shown that DNA methylation and histone modification can establish distinct gene expression patterns, leading to caste differentiation. It is unclear whether the histone methylation modification H3K4me1 can also impact caste differentiation. In this study, we analyzed genome-wide H3K4me1 modifications in both queen and worker larvae and found that H3K4me1 marks are more abundant in worker larvae than in queen larvae at both the second and fourth instars, and many genes associated with caste differentiation are differentially methylated. Notably, caste-specific H3K4me1 in promoter regions can direct worker development. Thus, our results suggest that H3K4me1 modification may act as an important regulatory factor in the establishment and maintenance of caste-specific transcriptional programs in honey bees; however, the potential influence of other epigenetic modifications cannot be excluded. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Ecology, Physiology and Biochemistry of Insects 3.0)

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25 pages, 5825 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Odorant-Binding Proteins and Chemosensory Proteins in Spodoptera frugiperda: From Genome-Wide Identification and Developmental Stage-Related Expression Analysis to the Perception of Host Plant Odors, Sex Pheromones, and Insecticides

by Chen Jia, Amr Mohamed, Alberto Maria Cattaneo, Xiaohua Huang, Nemat O. Keyhani, Maiqun Gu, Liansheng Zang and Wei Zhang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(6), 5595; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065595 - 15 Mar 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2262

Abstract

Spodoptera frugiperda is a worldwide generalist pest with remarkable adaptations to environments and stresses, including developmental stage-related behavioral and physiological adaptations, such as diverse feeding preferences, mate seeking, and pesticide resistance. Insects’ odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are essential for the [...] Read more.

Spodoptera frugiperda is a worldwide generalist pest with remarkable adaptations to environments and stresses, including developmental stage-related behavioral and physiological adaptations, such as diverse feeding preferences, mate seeking, and pesticide resistance. Insects’ odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are essential for the chemical recognition during behavioral responses or other physiological processes. The genome-wide identification and the gene expression patterns of all these identified OBPs and CSPs across developmental stage-related S. frugiperda have not been reported. Here, we screened for genome-wide SfruOBPs and SfruCSPs, and analyzed the gene expression patterns of SfruOBPs and SfruCSPs repertoires across all developmental stages and sexes. We found 33 OBPs and 22 CSPs in the S. frugiperda genome. The majority of the SfruOBP genes were most highly expressed in the adult male or female stages, while more SfruCSP genes were highly expressed in the larval or egg stages, indicating their function complementation. The gene expression patterns of SfruOBPs and SfruCSPs revealed strong correlations with their respective phylogenic trees, indicating a correlation between function and evolution. In addition, we analyzed the chemical-competitive binding of a widely expressed protein, SfruOBP31, to host plant odorants, sex pheromones, and insecticides. Further ligands binding assay revealed a broad functional related binding spectrum of SfruOBP31 to host plant odorants, sex pheromones, and insecticides, suggesting its potential function in food, mate seeking, and pesticide resistance. These results provide guidance for future research on the development of behavioral regulators of S. frugiperda or other environmentally friendly pest-control strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Ecology, Physiology and Biochemistry of Insects 3.0)

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21 pages, 5530 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diapause-Linked Gene Expression Pattern and Related Candidate Duplicated Genes of the Mountain Butterfly Parnassius glacialis (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) Revealed by Comprehensive Transcriptome Profiling

by Chengyong Su, Chen Ding, Youjie Zhao, Bo He, Ruie Nie and Jiasheng Hao

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(6), 5577; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065577 - 14 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1659

Abstract

The mountain butterfly Parnassius glacialis is a representative species of the genus Parnassius, which probably originated in the high-altitude Qinhai–Tibet Plateau in the Miocene and later dispersed eastward into relatively low-altitude regions of central to eastern China. However, little is known about the [...] Read more.

The mountain butterfly Parnassius glacialis is a representative species of the genus Parnassius, which probably originated in the high-altitude Qinhai–Tibet Plateau in the Miocene and later dispersed eastward into relatively low-altitude regions of central to eastern China. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the long-term evolutionary adaptation to heterogeneous environmental conditions of this butterfly species. In this study, we obtained the high-throughput RNA-Seq data from twenty-four adult individuals in eight localities, covering nearly all known distributional areas in China, and firstly identified the diapause-linked gene expression pattern that is likely to correlate with local adaptation in adult P. glacialis populations. Secondly, we found a series of pathways responsible for hormone biosynthesis, energy metabolism and immune defense that also exhibited unique enrichment patterns in each group that are probably related to habitat-specific adaptability. Furthermore, we also identified a suite of duplicated genes (including two transposable elements) that are mostly co-expressed to promote the plastic responses to different environmental conditions. Together, these findings can help us to better understand this species’ successful colonization to distinct geographic areas from the western to eastern areas of China, and also provide us with some insights into the evolution of diapause in mountain Parnassius butterfly species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Ecology, Physiology and Biochemistry of Insects 3.0)

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Review

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17 pages, 2144 KiB

Open AccessReview

Tracking Adaptive Pathways of Invasive Insects: Novel Insight from Genomics

by Zhongxiang Sun, Yao Chen, Yaping Chen, Zhihui Lu and Furong Gui

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(9), 8004; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24098004 - 28 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1516

Abstract

Despite the huge human and economic costs of invasive insects, which are the main group of invasive species, their environmental impacts through various mechanisms remain inadequately explained in databases and much of the invasion biology literature. High-throughput sequencing technology, especially whole-genome sequencing, has [...] Read more.

Despite the huge human and economic costs of invasive insects, which are the main group of invasive species, their environmental impacts through various mechanisms remain inadequately explained in databases and much of the invasion biology literature. High-throughput sequencing technology, especially whole-genome sequencing, has been used as a powerful method to study the mechanisms through which insects achieve invasion. In this study, we reviewed whole-genome sequencing-based advances in revealing several important invasion mechanisms of invasive insects, including (1) the rapid genetic variation and evolution of invasive populations, (2) invasion history and dispersal paths, (3) rapid adaptation to different host plant ranges, (4) strong environmental adaptation, (5) the development of insecticide resistance, and (6) the synergistic damage caused by invasive insects and endosymbiotic bacteria. We also discussed prevention and control technologies based on whole-genome sequencing and their prospects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Ecology, Physiology and Biochemistry of Insects 3.0)

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