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Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... Feb 2017Wing polymorphism contributes significantly to the success of a wide variety of insects. However, its underlying molecular mechanism is less well understood. The... (Review)
Review
Wing polymorphism contributes significantly to the success of a wide variety of insects. However, its underlying molecular mechanism is less well understood. The migratory planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, is one of the most extensively studied insects for wing polymorphism, due to its natural features of short- and long-winged morphs. Using the BPH as an example, we first surveyed the environmental cues that possibly influence wing developmental plasticity. Second, we explained the molecular basis by which two insulin receptors (InR1 and InR2) act as switches to determine alternative wing morphs in the BPH. This finding provides an additional layer of regulatory mechanism underlying wing polymorphism in insects in addition to juvenile hormones. Further, based on a discrete domain structure between InR1 and InR2 across insect species, we discussed the potential roles by which they might contribute to insect polymorphism. Last, we concluded with future directions of disentangling the insulin signalling pathway in the BPH, which serves as an ideal model for studying wing developmental plasticity in insects.This article is part of the themed issue 'Evo-devo in the genomics era, and the origins of morphological diversity'.
Topics: Animals; Hemiptera; Insect Proteins; Polymorphism, Genetic; Receptor, Insulin; Signal Transduction; Wings, Animal
PubMed: 27994130
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0489 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2022The sesquiterpenoid hormone juvenile hormone (JH) controls development, reproduction, and metamorphosis in insects, and has long been thought to be confined to the...
The sesquiterpenoid hormone juvenile hormone (JH) controls development, reproduction, and metamorphosis in insects, and has long been thought to be confined to the Insecta. While it remains true that juvenile hormone is specifically synthesized in insects, other types or forms of sesquiterpenoids have also been discovered in distantly related animals, such as the jellyfish. Here, we combine the latest literature and annotate the sesquiterpenoid biosynthetic pathway genes in different animal genomes. We hypothesize that the sesquiterpenoid hormonal system is an ancestral system established in an animal ancestor and remains widespread in many animals. Different animal lineages have adapted different enzymatic routes from a common pathway, with cnidarians producing farnesoic acid (FA); non-insect protostomes and non-vertebrate deuterostomes such as cephalochordate and echinoderm synthesizing FA and methyl farnesoate (MF); and insects producing FA, MF, and JH. Our hypothesis revolutionizes the current view on the sesquiterpenoids in the metazoans, and forms a foundation for a re-investigation of the roles of this important and yet neglected type of hormone in different animals.
Topics: Animals; Biosynthetic Pathways; Insecta; Juvenile Hormones; Metamorphosis, Biological; Sesquiterpenes
PubMed: 35682678
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23115998 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2022Diflubenzuron is an insecticide that serves as a chitin inhibitor to restrict the growth of many harmful larvae, including mosquito larvae, cotton bollworm and flies....
Diflubenzuron is an insecticide that serves as a chitin inhibitor to restrict the growth of many harmful larvae, including mosquito larvae, cotton bollworm and flies. The residue of diflubenzuron is often detected in aquaculture, but its potential toxicity to aquatic organisms is still obscure. In this study, zebrafish embryos (from 6 h to 96 h post-fertilization, hpf) were exposed to different concentrations of diflubenzuron (0, 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 mg/L), and the morphologic changes, mortality rate, hatchability rate and average heart rate were calculated. Diflubenzuron exposure increased the distance between the venous sinus and bulbar artery (SV-BA), inhibited proliferation of myocardial cells and damaged vascular development. In addition, diflubenzuron exposure also induced contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and inhibited the activity of antioxidants, including SOD (superoxide dismutase) and CAT (catalase). Moreover, acridine orange (AO) staining showed that diflubenzuron exposure increased the apoptotic cells in the heart. Q-PCR also indicated that diflubenzuron exposure promoted the expression of apoptosis-related genes (bax, bcl2, p53, caspase3 and caspase9). However, the expression of some heart-related genes were inhibited. The oxidative stress-induced apoptosis damaged the cardiac development of zebrafish embryos. Therefore, diflubenzuron exposure induced severe cardiotoxicity in zebrafish embryos. The results contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the safety use of diflubenzuron.
Topics: Acridine Orange; Animals; Antioxidants; Cardiotoxicity; Catalase; Chitin; Diflubenzuron; Embryo, Nonmammalian; Insecticides; Malondialdehyde; Oxidative Stress; Reactive Oxygen Species; Superoxide Dismutase; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Zebrafish; bcl-2-Associated X Protein
PubMed: 36233243
DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911932 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2023A long juvenile period limits the breeding process of many woody plants including tree peony. To investigate the physiological and transcriptomic differences between...
A long juvenile period limits the breeding process of many woody plants including tree peony. To investigate the physiological and transcriptomic differences between juvenile and adult plants of tree peony and to explore the key () genes, which are vital in age-dependent pathways, 1-year-old and 3-year-old plants were used to compare the relevant physiological parameters and transcriptomic profiles of the leaves in two phases of plants. The results of the physiological parameters showed that the starch content in the leaves of adult plants remained unchanged and that the soluble sugar content significantly increased compared with those in the juvenile plants. In terms of plant hormones, the contents of cytokinin-like hormone (N6-isopentenyladenine (iP)) and jasmonic acid (JA) significantly decreased, whereas the contents of auxin (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), cytokinin-like hormone (N6-isopentenyladenenosine (iPR)), and ethylene precursor (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, ACC) showed no statistic difference. Transcriptome sequencing results showed that there were 194 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between juvenile and adult plants, including 171 up-regulated DEGs and 23 down-regulated DEGs. Circadian rhythm, plant hormone signal transduction, and sugar metabolism were closely related to the juvenile-to-adult transition in involving a total of 12 DEGs. In addition, a total of 13 genes were identified in the transcriptome data, but only (c71307.graph_c0) was differentially expressed. It was further validated via qRT-PCR analysis, indicating that might be a key gene regulating the process of juvenile-to-adult in . Based on the above results, a hypothetical transcriptional network regulating juvenile-to-adult transition and flowering in was proposed. These findings provide a reference for understanding the mechanism of juvenile-to-adult transition in tree peony.
Topics: Transcriptome; Paeonia; Flowers; Plant Breeding; Plant Growth Regulators; Cytokinins; Hormones; Sugars; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
PubMed: 37446082
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310906 -
PLoS Genetics Jun 2019Polyphenism is a successful strategy adopted by organisms to adapt to environmental changes. Brown planthoppers (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens) develop two wing phenotypes,...
Polyphenism is a successful strategy adopted by organisms to adapt to environmental changes. Brown planthoppers (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens) develop two wing phenotypes, including long-winged (LW) and short-winged (SW) morphs. Though insulin receptor (InR) and juvenile hormone (JH) have been known to regulate wing polyphenism in BPH, the interaction between these regulators remains largely elusive. Here, we discovered that a conserved microRNA, miR-34, modulates a positive autoregulatory feedback loop of JH and insulin/IGF signaling (IIS) pathway to control wing polyphenism in BPH. Nlu-miR-34 is abundant in SW BPHs and suppresses NlInR1 by targeting at two binding sites in the 3'UTR of NlInR1. Overexpressing miR-34 in LW BPHs by injecting agomir-34 induces the development towards SW BPHs, whereas knocking down miR-34 in SW BPHs by injecting antagomir-34 induces more LW BPHs when another NlInR1 suppressor, NlInR2, is also suppressed simultaneously. A cis-response element of Broad Complex (Br-C) is found in the promoter region of Nlu-miR-34, suggesting that 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) might be involved in wing polyphenism regulation. Topic application of 20E downregulates miR-34 expression but does not change wing morphs. On the other hand, JH application upregulates miR-34 expression and induces more SW BPHs. Moreover, knocking down genes in IIS pathway changes JH titers and miR-34 abundance. In all, we showed that miRNA mediates the cross talk between JH, 20E and IIS pathway by forming a positive feedback loop, uncovering a comprehensive regulation mechanism which integrates almost all known regulators controlling wing polyphenism in insects.
Topics: Animals; Antagomirs; Ecdysterone; Gene Expression Regulation; Hemiptera; Juvenile Hormones; MicroRNAs; Phenotype; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Receptor, Insulin; Wings, Animal
PubMed: 31242182
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008235 -
Pediatric Rheumatology Online Journal Dec 2015Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a severe and potentially lethal complication of several inflammatory diseases but seems particularly linked to systemic juvenile... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a severe and potentially lethal complication of several inflammatory diseases but seems particularly linked to systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). Standardized diagnostic and treatment guidelines for MAS in sJIA are currently lacking. The aim of this systematic literature review was to evaluate currently available literature on diagnostic criteria for MAS in sJIA and provide an overview of possible biomarkers for diagnosis, disease activity and treatment response and recent advances in treatment.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane. 495 papers were identified. Potentially relevant papers were selected by 3 authors after which full text screening was performed. All selected papers were evaluated by at least two independent experts for validity and level of evidence according to EULAR guidelines.
RESULTS
27 papers were included: 7 on diagnosis, 9 on biomarkers and 11 on treatment. Systematic review of the literature confirmed that there are no validated diagnostic criteria for MAS in sJIA. The preliminary Ravelli criteria, with the addition of ferritin, performed well in a large retrospective case-control study. Recently, an international consortium lead by PRINTO proposed a new set of diagnostic criteria able to distinguish MAS from active sJIA and/or infection with superior performance. Other promising diagnostic biomarkers potentially distinguish MAS complicating sJIA from primary and virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The highest level of evidence for treatment comes from case-series. High dose corticosteroids with or without cyclosporine A were frequently reported as first-line therapy. From the newer treatment modalities, promising responses have been reported with anakinra.
CONCLUSION
MAS in sJIA seems to be diagnosed best by the recently proposed PRINTO criteria, although prospective validation is needed. Novel promising biomarkers for sJIA related MAS are in need of prospective validation as well, and are not widely available yet. Currently, treatment of MAS in sJIA relies more on experience than evidence based medicine. Taking into account the severity of MAS and the scarcity of evidence, early expert consultation is recommended as soon as MAS is suspected.
Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Arthritis, Juvenile; Biomarkers; Cyclosporine; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Macrophage Activation Syndrome
PubMed: 26634252
DOI: 10.1186/s12969-015-0055-3 -
Mechanisms of Neuroendocrine Stress Response in and Its Effect on Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism.Insects May 2023Response to short-term stress is a fundamental survival mechanism ensuring protection and adaptation in adverse environments. Key components of the neuroendocrine stress... (Review)
Review
Response to short-term stress is a fundamental survival mechanism ensuring protection and adaptation in adverse environments. Key components of the neuroendocrine stress reaction in insects are stress-related hormones, including biogenic amines (dopamine and octopamine), juvenile hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone, adipokinetic hormone and insulin-like peptides. In this review we focus on different aspects of the mechanism of the neuroendocrine stress reaction in insects on the model, discuss the interaction of components of the insulin/insulin-like growth factors signaling pathway and other stress-related hormones, and suggest a detailed scheme of their possible interaction and effect on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism under short-term heat stress. The effect of short-term heat stress on metabolic behavior and possible regulation of its mechanisms are also discussed here.
PubMed: 37233102
DOI: 10.3390/insects14050474 -
The Journal of Experimental Biology Dec 2022Thyroid hormones (THs) are important regulators of development, metabolism and homeostasis in metazoans. Specifically, they have been shown to regulate the metamorphic...
Thyroid hormones (THs) are important regulators of development, metabolism and homeostasis in metazoans. Specifically, they have been shown to regulate the metamorphic transitions of vertebrates and invertebrates alike. Indirectly developing sea urchin larvae accelerate the formation of juvenile structures in response to thyroxine (T4) treatment, while reducing their larval arm length. The mechanisms underlying larval arm reduction are unknown and we hypothesized that programmed cell death (PCD) is linked to this process. To test this hypothesis, we measured larval arm retraction in response to different THs (T4, T3, rT3, Tetrac) and assessed cell death in larvae using three different methods (TUNEL, YO-PRO-1 and caspase-3 activity) in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. We also compared the extent of PCD in response to TH treatment before and after the invagination of the larval ectoderm, which marks the initiation of juvenile development in larval sea urchin species. We found that T4 treatment results in the strongest reduction of larval arms but detected a significant increase of PCD in response to T4, T3 and Tetrac in post-ingression but not pre-ingression larvae. As post-ingression larvae have initiated metamorphic development and therefore allocate resources to both larval and the juvenile structures, these results provide evidence that THs regulate larval development differentially via PCD. PCD in combination with cell proliferation likely has a key function in sea urchin development.
Topics: Animals; Cell Death; Sea Urchins; Thyroid Hormones; Apoptosis; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Larva
PubMed: 36412991
DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244560 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Dec 2022Environmental pollution and resistance in animals are major concerns for the application of synthetic pesticides. Diallyl trisulfide (DAT), an active compound in garlic...
Environmental pollution and resistance in animals are major concerns for the application of synthetic pesticides. Diallyl trisulfide (DAT), an active compound in garlic essential oil, is a novel tool for active and safe control of agricultural insect pests. In this study, we analysed the effects of DAT (0.01 μL/L) on the protein content in male reproductive tissues (accessory glands, ejaculatory ducts, and testis), and juvenile hormone (JH) and ecdysone titres in a highly detrimental pest of stored products, Sitotroga cerealella. Evaluation of the expression profile of JH and ecdysone pathway-related genes in various tissues indicated that the accessory gland protein and ecdysone titres were markedly decreased after DAT fumigation, whereas the testis protein content and JH titre were increased. However, the protein content of the ejaculatory ducts remained unchanged between the treated and control groups. Further investigation revealed that DAT disrupted the mRNA expression of key enzymes involved in JH and ecdysone pathways. While increased mRNA levels of juvenile hormone acid O-methyltransferase (JHMAT) and Kruppel homologue 1 (Kr-h1) were observed after 4 and 7 h of DAT fumigation, the levels of juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase (JHEH) were substantially reduced 3 h post-fumigation. mRNA levels of the ecdysone-responsive gene, FTZF1, and cytochrome P450 enzyme, CYP315A1, were notably decreased at 7 h and 4 h, respectively, post-fumigation, whereas CYP314A1 and CYP302A1 mRNA levels decreased after 3 h and 4 h, respectively. While DAT fumigation disrupted sperm number in the testis, ejaculatory ducts, and seminal vesicles, topical application of the 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) analogue also lowered sperm number in the ejaculatory ducts. Topical application of methoprene, a JH analogue, increased the protein content in the testes, but not in the accessory glands or ejaculatory ducts. However, the survival rate was not affected by the topical application of methoprene or 20E. These data suggest that DAT regulates JH and ecdysone via its molecular pathway genes and modulates endocrine secretion during the male reproductive process.
Topics: Male; Animals; Ecdysone; Methoprene; Seeds; Juvenile Hormones; Garlic
PubMed: 36403303
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114304 -
Hormone-related genes heterochronically and modularly regulate neotenic differentiation in termites.Developmental Biology May 2022Caste development in social insects requires the coordination of molting and metamorphosis during postembryonic development. In termites, i.e., hemimetabolous eusocial...
Caste development in social insects requires the coordination of molting and metamorphosis during postembryonic development. In termites, i.e., hemimetabolous eusocial insects, caste fate is determined during postembryonic development. However, it is not fully understood how the mechanisms of molting/metamorphosis are regulated in the course of differentiation between reproductive and sterile castes. In termites, only reproductives derived from alates are imagos and other sterile castes (including developmentally-terminal soldier caste) are basically juveniles or nymphs. Furthermore, supplementary reproductives that appear when the original queens and kings die or become senescent, exhibit larval features such as winglessness, and are called neotenics. Therefore, the question of whether neotenics are larvae or imagos is still under debate. In this study, by inducing female neotenic differentiation in a damp-wood termite Hodotermopsis sjostedti, morphological investigations together with juvenile hormone (JH) quantification and expression/functional analyses of genes responsible for molting and/or metamorphosis were carried out. JH titer and expression of one of the downstream genes (Kr-h1) were shown to be temporarily lowered, but increased just prior to the molt into neotenics, while consistently lowered in imaginal molt (i.e., alate differentiation). In contrast, ecdysone-related genes (EcR and E93) were upregulated at both neotenic and alate differentiation, suggesting that the heterochronic actions of ecdysone and JH lead the neotenic differentiation. Moreover, expression analyses, supported by reverse genetic experiments, showed that EcR and E93 were specifically upregulated in genital sternites (EcR and E93) and ovaries (E93) and required for the development of imaginal characters. These results suggest that the resultant mosaic phenotype of female neotenics is due to modular responses of different body parts to hormonal actions.
Topics: Animals; Ecdysone; Female; Isoptera; Juvenile Hormones; Molting; Sex Differentiation
PubMed: 35248548
DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.02.012