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Insects Feb 2024The tea black tussock moth (), a devastating pest in Chinese tea plantations, uses a ternary Type-II pheromone blend containing (3,6)--9,10-epoxyhenicosa-3,6-diene...
The tea black tussock moth (), a devastating pest in Chinese tea plantations, uses a ternary Type-II pheromone blend containing (3,6)--9,10-epoxyhenicosa-3,6-diene (3,6,epo9-21:H), (3,6,11)--9,10-epoxyhenicosa-3,6,11-triene (3,6,epo9,11-21:H), and (3,6)-henicosa-3,6-dien-11-one (3,6-21:11-one) for mate communication. To elucidate the P450 candidates associated with the biosynthesis of these sex pheromone components, we sequenced the female pheromone gland and the abdomen excluding the pheromone gland. A total of 75 DbP450s were identified. Function annotation suggested six CYPs were orthologous genes that are linked to molting hormone metabolism, and eight antennae specifically and significantly up-regulated CYPs may play roles in odorant processing. Based on a combination of comparative RNAseq, phylogenetic, and tissue expression pattern analysis, one CYP4G with abdomen specifically predominant expression pattern was likely to be the P450 decarbonylase, while the pheromone-gland specifically and most abundant CYP341B65 was the most promising epoxidase candidate for the sex pheromone biosynthesis. Collectively, our research laid a valuable basis not only for further functional elucidation of the candidate P450 decarbonylase and epoxidase for the sex pheromone biosynthesis but also for understanding the physiological functions and functional diversity of the CYP gene superfamily in the .
PubMed: 38392558
DOI: 10.3390/insects15020139 -
Insects Feb 2024(Sauaia & Alves, 1968) is a sciarid that has been continuously cultured in the laboratory for nearly 60 years. Studies on this species have contributed to the...
(Sauaia & Alves, 1968) is a sciarid that has been continuously cultured in the laboratory for nearly 60 years. Studies on this species have contributed to the understanding of DNA puffs, which are characteristic of Sciaridae, and to the knowledge of more general aspects of insect biology, including cell death, nucleolar organization, and the role of the hormone ecdysone during molting. The genome of has now been sequenced, and it is the third publicly available sciarid genome. The aim of this work is to expand the current knowledge on . The morphology of the adults is revisited. The morphology of larvae and pupae is described, together with the behavior of immature stages under laboratory conditions. Cytogenetic maps of the salivary gland polytene chromosomes are presented, together with a comparative analysis of the mitotic chromosomes of six different sciarid species. was originally described as a species of and recently moved to We examine here the systematic position of in the latter genus. Our results extend the characterization of an unconventional model organism and constitute an important resource for those working on the cytogenetics, ecology, taxonomy, and phylogenetic systematics of sciarids.
PubMed: 38392537
DOI: 10.3390/insects15020118 -
Insects Feb 2024Immature mosquitoes are thought to breathe only atmospheric air through their siphons despite reports of prolonged submerged survival. We studied the survival of...
Immature mosquitoes are thought to breathe only atmospheric air through their siphons despite reports of prolonged submerged survival. We studied the survival of last-instar larvae of fully submerged at different temperatures and measured the oxygen consumption from air and water-dissolved larvae and pupae of this species under different conditions. Larvae survived much longer than expected, reaching 50% mortality only after 58, 10, and 5 days at 15°, 25°, and 35 °C, respectively. Larval to pupa molt was only observed in larvae with access to air, whereas individuals kept submerged never molted. Although most of the oxygen was obtained from the air, larvae obtained 12.72% of their oxygen from the water, while pupae took only 5.32%. In both media, temperature affected the respiration rate of the larvae, with relatively close Q values (1.56 and 1.83 for water and air, respectively). A similar pattern of O consumption was observed in , whose larvae obtained 12.14% of their oxygen from the water. The detailed quantification of oxygen consumption by mosquito larvae showed that water-dissolved oxygen is not negligible and physiologically relevant, challenging the idea that mosquito larvae only breathe atmospheric oxygen.
PubMed: 38392518
DOI: 10.3390/insects15020099 -
Parasites & Vectors Feb 2024Hyalomma marginatum and H. rufipes are two-host tick species, which are mainly distributed in southern Europe, Africa to central Asia but may also be found in Central...
BACKGROUND
Hyalomma marginatum and H. rufipes are two-host tick species, which are mainly distributed in southern Europe, Africa to central Asia but may also be found in Central and Northern Europe through introduction by migratory birds.
METHODS
Ticks were collected while feeding or crawling on animals and humans, or from the environment, in different regions in Germany, between 2019 and 2021 in a citizen science study and from 2022 to 2023 in the wake of this study.
RESULTS
From 2019 to 2023, a total of 212 Hyalomma adult ticks were detected in Germany. This included 132 H. marginatum and 43 H. rufipes ticks sent to research institutions and 37 photographic records that were only identified to genus level. The number of detected ticks varied over the years, with the highest number of 119 specimens recorded in 2019, followed by 57 in 2020. Most of the specimens were collected from horses, while some were collected from other animals, humans or found crawling on human clothes or other objects inside or outside houses. The screening of 175 specimens for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and of 132 specimens for Babesia/Theileria spp. by PCR gave negative results, while human-pathogenic Rickettsia were detected in 44% (77/175) of the total samples. Subsequent amplicon sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of representative samples determined the species of 41 Rickettsia aeschlimannii and one R. slovaca sequences.
CONCLUSIONS
Analysis of climatic factors indicated a significantly higher probability of Hyalomma occurrence at locations with higher average spring temperature during the years 2019 and 2020 compared to randomly generated pseudo-absence locations. Dry and hot conditions probably facilitated Hyalomma nymphs' survival and molting into adults during these years.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Horses; Molting; Phylogeny; Ixodidae; Ticks; Germany; Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo; Hot Temperature
PubMed: 38374119
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06175-y -
MBio Mar 2024Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections are a major concern for the ruminant industry worldwide and result in significant production losses. Naturally occurring...
Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections are a major concern for the ruminant industry worldwide and result in significant production losses. Naturally occurring polyparasitism and increasing drug resistance that potentiate disease outcomes are observed among the most prevalent GINs of veterinary importance. Within the five major taxonomic clades, clade Va represents a group of GINs that predominantly affect the abomasum or small intestine of ruminants. However, the development of effective broad-spectrum anthelmintics against ruminant clade Va GINs has been challenged by a lack of comprehensive druggable genome resources. Here, we first assembled draft genomes for three clade Va species (, , and ) and compared them with closely related ruminant GINs. Genome-wide phylogenetic reconstruction showed a relationship among ruminant GINs structured by taxonomic classification. Orthogroup (OG) inference and functional enrichment analyses identified 220 clade Va-specific and Va-conserved OGs, enriched for functions related to cell cycle and cellular senescence. Further transcriptomic analysis identified 61 taxonomically and functionally conserved clade Va OGs that may function as drug targets for new broad-spectrum anthelmintics. Chemogenomic screening identified 11 compounds targeting homologs of these OGs, thus having potential anthelmintic activity. In phenotypic assays, three kinase inhibitors (digitoxigenin, K-252a, and staurosporine) exhibited broad-spectrum anthelmintic activities against clade Va GINs by obstructing the motility of exsheathed L3 (xL3) or molting of xL3 to L4. These results demonstrate valuable applications of the new ruminant GIN genomes in gaining better insights into their life cycles and offer a contemporary approach to discovering the next generation of anthelmintics.IMPORTANCEGastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections in ruminants are caused by parasites that inhibit normal function in the digestive tract of cattle, sheep, and goats, thereby causing morbidity and mortality. Coinfection and increasing drug resistance to current therapeutic agents will continue to worsen disease outcomes and impose significant production losses on domestic livestock producers worldwide. In combination with ongoing therapeutic efforts, advancing the discovery of new drugs with novel modes of action is critical for better controlling GIN infections. The significance of this study is in assembling and characterizing new GIN genomes of , and for facilitating a multi-omics approach to identify novel, biologically conserved drug targets for five major GINs of veterinary importance. With this information, we were then able to demonstrate the potential of commercially available compounds as new anthelmintics.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Sheep; Phylogeny; Nematoda; Ruminants; Anthelmintics; Nematode Infections; Goats; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Cattle Diseases
PubMed: 38358246
DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00095-24 -
Insect Biochemistry and Molecular... Apr 2024Compounds classified as benzoylphenylurea (BPU), such as diflubenzuron (DFB), are used as insecticides. Although BPU disrupts molting by inhibiting chitin biosynthesis...
Compounds classified as benzoylphenylurea (BPU), such as diflubenzuron (DFB), are used as insecticides. Although BPU disrupts molting by inhibiting chitin biosynthesis and exhibits insecticidal activity, their exact mode of action remains unknown. Since epidermal cells proliferate and morphologically change from squamous to columnar cells during the early stages of insect molting, we speculate that a transition similar to that from epithelium to mesenchyme occurs and that BPU may inhibit this transition. Here, we addressed this possibility. We found that DFB decreases actin expression in insect cells (the tissue cultures of insect integument). Detailed analysis in Schneider S2 cells reveals that DFB inhibits the expression of actin isoforms (Act5C and Act42A) and the Drosophila ortholog of myocardin-related transcription factor (Mrtf), leading to cell growth suppression. Proteomics identified the Drosophila ortholog of prohibitin (Phb1D and Phb2E) as one of the DFB-binding proteins. DFB inhibits the interaction between Phb1D and Phb2E and induces mitochondrial dysfunction. The knock-down of Phb2E suppresses the expression of Act5C, Act42A, and Mrtf, leading to cell growth inhibition. Thus, the disruption of Phb function is a possible novel target of DFB.
Topics: Animals; Diflubenzuron; Actins; Insecticides; Drosophila
PubMed: 38342197
DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104088 -
Bioinorganic Chemistry and Applications 2024[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/5949086.].
Retracted: Synthesis of Zinc Oxide (ZnO)-Titanium Dioxide (TiO)-Chitosan-Farnesol Nanocomposites and Assessment of Their Anticancer Potential in Human Leukemic MOLT-4 Cell Line.
[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/5949086.].
PubMed: 38298492
DOI: 10.1155/2024/9821307 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Ecdysteroid molting hormone synthesis is directed by a pair of molting glands or Y-organs (YOs), and this synthesis is inhibited by molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH). MIH is...
Ecdysteroid molting hormone synthesis is directed by a pair of molting glands or Y-organs (YOs), and this synthesis is inhibited by molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH). MIH is a member of the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) neuropeptide superfamily, which includes CHH and insect ion transport peptide (ITP). It is hypothesized that the MIH receptor is a Class A (Rhodopsin-like) G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). The YO of the blackback land crab, , expresses 49 Class A GPCRs, three of which (Gl-CHHR-A9, -A10, and -A12) were provisionally assigned as CHH-like receptors. CrusTome, a transcriptome database assembled from 189 crustaceans and 12 ecdysozoan outgroups, was used to deorphanize candidate MIH/CHH GPCRs, relying on sequence homology to three functionally characterized ITP receptors (BNGR-A2, BNGR-A24, and BNGR-A34) in the silk moth, . Phylogenetic analysis and multiple sequence alignments across major taxonomic groups revealed extensive expansion and diversification of crustacean A2, A24, and A34 receptors, designated CHH Family Receptor Candidates (CFRCs). The A2 clade was divided into three subclades; A24 clade was divided into five subclades; and A34 was divided into six subclades. The subclades were distinguished by conserved motifs in extracellular loop (ECL) 2 and ECL3 in the ligand-binding region. Eleven of the 14 subclades occurred in decapod crustaceans. In , seven CFRC sequences, designated Gl-CFRC-A2α1, -A24α, -A24β1, -A24β2, -A34α2, -A34β1, and -A34β2, were identified; the three A34 sequences corresponded to Gl-GPCR-A12, -A9, and A10, respectively. ECL2 in all the CFRC sequences had a two-stranded β-sheet structure similar to human Class A GPCRs, whereas the ECL2 of decapod CFRC-A34β1/β2 had an additional two-stranded β-sheet. We hypothesize that this second β-sheet on ECL2 plays a role in MIH/CHH binding and activation, which will be investigated further with functional assays.
Topics: Humans; Phylogeny; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Invertebrate Hormones; Piperidones; Benzeneacetamides; Arthropod Proteins
PubMed: 38298185
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1322800 -
Genome Biology and Evolution Feb 2024The evolutionary dynamics of large gene families can offer important insights into the functions of their individual members. While the ecdysteroid kinase-like (EcKL)...
The evolutionary dynamics of large gene families can offer important insights into the functions of their individual members. While the ecdysteroid kinase-like (EcKL) gene family has previously been linked to the metabolism of both steroid molting hormones and xenobiotic toxins, the functions of nearly all EcKL genes are unknown, and there is little information on their evolution across all insects. Here, we perform comprehensive phylogenetic analyses on a manually annotated set of EcKL genes from 140 insect genomes, revealing the gene family is comprised of at least 13 subfamilies that differ in retention and stability. Our results show the only two genes known to encode ecdysteroid kinases belong to different subfamilies and therefore ecdysteroid metabolism functions must be spread throughout the EcKL family. We provide comparative phylogenomic evidence that EcKLs are involved in detoxification across insects, with positive associations between family size and dietary chemical complexity, and we also find similar evidence for the cytochrome P450 and glutathione S-transferase gene families. Unexpectedly, we find that the size of the clade containing a known ecdysteroid kinase is positively associated with host plant taxonomic diversity in Lepidoptera, possibly suggesting multiple functional shifts between hormone and xenobiotic metabolism. Our evolutionary analyses provide hypotheses of function and a robust framework for future experimental studies of the EcKL gene family. They also open promising new avenues for exploring the genomic basis of dietary adaptation in insects, including the classically studied coevolution of butterflies with their host plants.
Topics: Animals; Ecdysteroids; Phylogeny; Butterflies; Xenobiotics; Insecta
PubMed: 38291829
DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae019 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Jan 2024Up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic proteins such as Mcl-1 is associated with the primary and secondary resistance of tumor cells to ABT-737 Bcl-2 inhibitor. The...
INTRODUCTION
Up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic proteins such as Mcl-1 is associated with the primary and secondary resistance of tumor cells to ABT-737 Bcl-2 inhibitor. The combined treatment of Bcl-2 inhibitors with Mcl-1 inhibitors has been proposed as an attractive therapeutic strategy to overcome this drug resistance. Here, we investigated the effect of dihydroartemisinin on Mcl-1 expression and sensitization of T-ALL cells to ABT-737.
METHODS
The cell growth and survival were tested by the cell proliferation and MTT assays, respectively. The mRNA levels of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, Bax and P21 were examined by qRT-PCR. Apoptosis were detected by Hoechst 33342 staining and caspase-3 activity assay.
RESULTS
Our data showed that combination treatment with dihydroartemisinin and ABT-737 caused a significant decrease in the IC50 value and synergistically reduced the cell survival compared with dihydroartemisinin or ABT-737 alone. ABT-737 enhanced the Mcl-1 mRNA expression. Dihydroartemisinin also down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 and enhanced the P21 and Bax expression. Moreover, dihydroartemisinin enhanced the apoptosis induced by ABT-737 in MOLT-4 and MOLT-17 cell lines.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, dihydroartemisinin demonstrates anti-tumor activities in human ALL cells via inhibition of cell survival and growth. Dihydroartemisinin augments the apoptotic effect of ABT-737 by inhibiting the expression of Mcl-1.
Topics: Humans; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Cell Line, Tumor; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Biphenyl Compounds; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; RNA, Messenger; Drug Synergism; Nitrophenols; Piperazines; Sulfonamides; Artemisinins
PubMed: 38285800
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.1.325