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Research in Veterinary Science Mar 2024Colony collapse disorder (CCD) has affected bees worldwide in recent decades, with southwestern Spain being no exception. This disorder is one of the main causes of Apis...
Colony collapse disorder (CCD) has affected bees worldwide in recent decades, with southwestern Spain being no exception. This disorder is one of the main causes of Apis mellifera mortality and is believed to be caused by environmental, social and sanitary conditions. Dietary supplementation can help to improve some parameters of the general status and sanitary condition of bees, such as infestation by certain recurrent pathogens, including Varroa destructor and Nosema ceranae, by enhancing immune and social response. Thus, the aim of this study was to test a liquid hydrolysed protein supplement on the health and general status of the hive in several apiaries with access to the same natural food and under similar climatic conditions. We selected two groups of ten hives (supplemented by either placebo or protein) from five apiaries where the number of adult bees, amount of brood (open and operculated), honey and pollen reserves, infestation by V. destructor, N. ceranae, deformed wing virus (DWV) and chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV) were measured. Additionally, we assess the expression of four immune system-related genes and a gene encoding vitellogenin. At the end of this work, treated hives showed a significant increase in open brood and a decrease in V. destructor infestation. Also, these hives showed a significant decrease in the mortality rate after the cold season. Therefore, supplementation with this product improved the health of the hive and could be a promising tool against bee colony loss.
Topics: Bees; Animals; Spain; Honey; Varroidae; Urticaria; Dietary Supplements; RNA Viruses
PubMed: 38335895
DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105173 -
Genetics and Molecular Biology 2024In phytophagous insects, adaptation to a new host is a dynamic process, in which early and later steps may be underpinned by different features of the insect genome....
In phytophagous insects, adaptation to a new host is a dynamic process, in which early and later steps may be underpinned by different features of the insect genome. Here, we tested the hypothesis that early steps of this process are underpinned by a shift in gene expression patterns. We set up a short-term artificial selection experiment (10 generations) for the use of an alternative host (Cicer arietinum) on populations of the bean beetle Zabrotes subfasciatus. Using Illumina sequencing on young adult females, we show the selected populations differ in the expression of genes associated to stimuli, signalling, and developmental processes. Particularly, the "C. arietinum" population shows upregulation of histone methylation genes, which may constitute a strategy for fine-tuning the insect global gene expression network. Using qPCR on body regions, we demonstrated that the "Phaseolus vulgaris" population upregulates the genes polygalacturonase and egalitarian and that the expression of an odorant receptor transcript variant changes over generations. Moreover, in this population we detected the existence of vitellogenin (Vg) variants in both males and females, possibly harbouring canonical reproductive function in females and extracellular unknown functions in males. This study provides the basis for future genomic investigations seeking to shed light on the nature of the proximate mechanisms involved in promoting differential gene expression associated to insect development and adaptation to new hosts.
PubMed: 38314880
DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-GMB-2023-0148 -
PLoS Genetics Jan 2024Females from many mosquito species feed on blood to acquire nutrients for egg development. The oogenetic cycle has been characterized in the arboviral vector Aedes...
Females from many mosquito species feed on blood to acquire nutrients for egg development. The oogenetic cycle has been characterized in the arboviral vector Aedes aegypti, where after a bloodmeal, the lipid transporter lipophorin (Lp) shuttles lipids from the midgut and fat body to the ovaries, and a yolk precursor protein, vitellogenin (Vg), is deposited into the oocyte by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Our understanding of how the roles of these two nutrient transporters are mutually coordinated is however limited in this and other mosquito species. Here, we demonstrate that in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae, Lp and Vg are reciprocally regulated in a timely manner to optimize egg development and ensure fertility. Defective lipid transport via Lp knockdown triggers abortive ovarian follicle development, leading to misregulation of Vg and aberrant yolk granules. Conversely, depletion of Vg causes an upregulation of Lp in the fat body in a manner that appears to be at least partially dependent on target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling, resulting in excess lipid accumulation in the developing follicles. Embryos deposited by Vg-depleted mothers are completely inviable, and are arrested early during development, likely due to severely reduced amino acid levels and protein synthesis. Our findings demonstrate that the mutual regulation of these two nutrient transporters is essential to safeguard fertility by ensuring correct nutrient balance in the developing oocyte, and validate Vg and Lp as two potential candidates for mosquito control.
Topics: Female; Animals; Anopheles; Mosquito Vectors; Vitellogenins; Egg Proteins; Malaria; Membrane Transport Proteins; Fertility; Lipids; Aedes
PubMed: 38285728
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011145 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2024Vitellogenin () is a precursor of yolk proteins in egg-laying vertebrates and invertebrates and plays an important role in vitellogenesis and embryonic development....
Vitellogenin () is a precursor of yolk proteins in egg-laying vertebrates and invertebrates and plays an important role in vitellogenesis and embryonic development. However, the family remains poorly characterized in , a major commercial mariculture species found along the coasts of the Yellow and Bohai Seas. In this study, 10 genes from the genomes of were identified and characterized. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the genes in crustaceans could be classified into four groups: Astacidea, Brachyra, Penaeidae, and Palaemonidae. genes were unevenly distributed on the chromosomes of , and a molecular evolutionary analysis showed that the genes were primarily constrained by purifying selection during evolution. All putative proteins were characterized by the presence of three conserved functional domains: a lipoprotein N-terminal domain (LPD_N), a domain of unknown function (DUF1943), and a von Willebrand factor type D domain (vWD). All genes exhibited higher expression in the female hepatopancreas than in other tissues, and gene expression during ovarian development suggested that the hepatopancreas is the main synthesis site in . , , and play major roles in exogenous vitellogenesis, and also plays a major role in endogenous vitellogenesis. Bilateral ablation of the eyestalk significantly upregulates mRNA expression in the female hepatopancreas, indicating that the X-organ/sinus gland complex plays an important role in ovarian development, mostly by inducing synthesis. These results could improve our understanding of the function of multiple genes in crustaceans and aid future studies on the function of genes during ovarian development in .
Topics: Animals; Female; Vitellogenins; Palaemonidae; Phylogeny; Embryonic Development; Evolution, Molecular
PubMed: 38256163
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021089 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023Vitamin B12 is an essential cofactor involved in the function of two enzymes: cytosolic methionine synthase and mitochondrial methylmalonic-CoA mutase. In our previous...
Vitamin B12 is an essential cofactor involved in the function of two enzymes: cytosolic methionine synthase and mitochondrial methylmalonic-CoA mutase. In our previous studies, caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine), the most popular bioactivator, was shown to reduce yolk protein (vitellogenin) and fertility in a model. Based on the previous finding that methionine supplementation increases vitellogenesis in , we investigated the role of vitamin B12 in methionine-mediated vitellogenesis during oogenesis in caffeine-ingested animals (CIA). Vitamin B12 supplementation improved vitellogenesis and reduced oxidative stress by decreasing mitochondrial function in CIA. Furthermore, the decreased number of developing oocytes and high levels of reactive oxygen species in oocytes from CIA were recovered with vitamin B12 supplementation through a reduction in mitochondrial stress, which increased vitellogenesis. Taken together, vitamin B12 supplementation can reverse the negative effects of caffeine intake by enhancing methionine-mediated vitellogenesis and oocyte development by reducing mitochondrial stress.
PubMed: 38247478
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13010053 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2024Vitellogenesis is the most important process in animal reproduction, in which yolk proteins play a vital role. Among multiple yolk protein precursors, vitellogenin (Vtg)...
Vitellogenesis is the most important process in animal reproduction, in which yolk proteins play a vital role. Among multiple yolk protein precursors, vitellogenin (Vtg) is a well-known major yolk protein (MYP) in most oviparous animals. However, the nature of MYP in the freshwater gastropod snail Biomphalaria glabrata remains elusive. In the current study, we applied bioinformatics, tissue-specific transcriptomics, ovotestis-targeted proteomics, and phylogenetics to investigate the large lipid transfer protein (LLTP) superfamily and ferritin-like family in B. glabrata. Four members of LLTP superfamily (BgVtg1, BgVtg2, BgApo1, and BgApo2), one yolk ferritin (Bg yolk ferritin), and four soma ferritins (Bg ferritin 1, 2, 3, and 4) were identified in B. glabrata genome. The proteomic analysis demonstrated that, among the putative yolk proteins, BgVtg1 was the yolk protein appearing in the highest amount in the ovotestis, followed by Bg yolk ferritin. RNAseq profile showed that the leading synthesis sites of BgVtg1 and Bg yolk ferritin are in the ovotestis (presumably follicle cells) and digestive gland, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that BgVtg1 is well clustered with Vtgs of other vertebrates and invertebrates. We conclude that, vitellogenin (BgVtg1), not yolk ferritin (Bg yolk ferritin), is the major yolk protein precursor in the schistosomiasis vector snail B. glabrata.
Topics: Animals; Biomphalaria; Vitellogenins; Multiomics; Phylogeny; Proteomics; Egg Proteins; Schistosomiasis; Ferritins; Schistosoma mansoni
PubMed: 38245605
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52392-x -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2023Methyl farnesoate (MF), a crucial sesquiterpenoid hormone, plays a pivotal role in the reproduction of female crustaceans, particularly in the vitellogenesis process....
Methyl farnesoate (MF), a crucial sesquiterpenoid hormone, plays a pivotal role in the reproduction of female crustaceans, particularly in the vitellogenesis process. Despite extensive research on its functions, the molecular mechanisms that regulate MF levels during the vitellogenic phase remain largely elusive. This study investigates the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs), significant post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, in controlling MF levels in the swimming crab . Through bioinformatic analysis, four miRNAs were identified as potential regulators targeting two genes encoding Carboxylesterases (CXEs), which are key enzymes in MF degradation. Dual luciferase reporter assays revealed that and suppress and expression by directly binding to their 3' UTRs. In vivo overexpression of and significantly diminished and levels, consequently elevating hemolymph MF and enhancing expression. Spatiotemporal expression profile analysis showed that these two miRNAs and their targets exhibited generally opposite patterns during ovarian development. These findings demonstrate that and collaboratively modulate MF levels by targeting , thus influencing vitellogenesis in . Additionally, we found that the expression of and were suppressed by MF, constituting a regulatory loop for the regulation of MF levels. The findings contribute novel insights into miRNA-mediated ovarian development regulation in crustaceans and offer valuable information for developing innovative reproduction manipulation techniques for .
Topics: Animals; Female; 3' Untranslated Regions; Brachyura; Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; MicroRNAs; Vitellogenesis
PubMed: 38203450
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010279 -
Nature Communications Jan 2024Salivary effectors of piercing-sucking insects can suppress plant defense to promote insect feeding, but it remains largely elusive how they facilitate plant virus...
Salivary effectors of piercing-sucking insects can suppress plant defense to promote insect feeding, but it remains largely elusive how they facilitate plant virus transmission. Leafhopper Nephotettix cincticeps transmits important rice reovirus via virus-packaging exosomes released from salivary glands and then entering the rice phloem. Here, we report that intact salivary vitellogenin of N. cincticeps (NcVg) is associated with the GTPase Rab5 of N. cincticeps (NcRab5) for release from salivary glands. In virus-infected salivary glands, NcVg is upregulated and packaged into exosomes mediated by virus-induced NcRab5, subsequently entering the rice phloem. The released NcVg inherently suppresses HO burst of rice plants by interacting with rice glutathione S-transferase F12, an enzyme catalyzing glutathione-dependent oxidation, thus facilitating leafhoppers feeding. When leafhoppers transmit virus, virus-upregulated NcVg thus promotes leafhoppers feeding and enhances viral transmission. Taken together, the findings provide evidence that viruses exploit insect exosomes to deliver virus-hijacked effectors for efficient transmission.
Topics: Animals; Vitellogenins; Hemiptera; Phloem; Hydrogen Peroxide; Plant Viruses
PubMed: 38167823
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43488-5 -
Physiological Research Dec 2023Insect 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... (Review)
Review
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.
Topics: Male; Female; Animals; Vitellogenins; Ecdysteroids; Juvenile Hormones; Ovary; Insecta
PubMed: 38165752
DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935221 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Feb 2024Per-and Poly-FluoroAlkyl Substances (PFAS) are a class of persistent, toxic, and mobile and chemicals both from industrial sources and from the use and disposal of...
Per-and Poly-FluoroAlkyl Substances (PFAS) are a class of persistent, toxic, and mobile and chemicals both from industrial sources and from the use and disposal of Consumers products containing PFAS, whose concentration in marine food webs could pose a toxicological risk for biota and humans. In 2021, unhatched eggs were sampled from 41 loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta nests from the Italian shores of the Campania Region (Southern Italy). Whole eggs were analysed for the presence of 66 legacy and emerging PFAS with Liquid Chromatography coupled to Hybrid High Resolution Mass Spectrometry. A median Σ Per- and Poly-FluoroAlkyl Substances value of 3.34 ng/g egg fresh weight was found; perfluoroctane sulfonate (PFOS) represented the most contributing congener (47%), followed by perfluoro-n-undecanoic acid, perfluoro-n-tridecanoic acid, perfluoro-n-decanoic acid, perfluoro-n-decanoic acid, and perfluoro-n-tetradecanoic acid, respectively. Such compounds showed a log-norm distribution, suggesting found concentrations could represent the baseline levels in the considered sampling area. Emerging ChloroPolyFluoroPolyEthers Carboxylic Acids (ClPFECAs) were found in 20 out of 41 samples in the range 0.01-1.59 ng/g. Four samples had 20-100 fold higher concentration compared to that of other samples, suggesting the presence of hot spot areas possibly related to presence of fluoropolymer-based marine litter turtles may ingest. The analysis of two paired eggs/liver samples recovered from stranded animals revealed PFAS concentration in the same order of magnitude, supporting the role of vitellogenin in their selective transfer to yolk. Significant (P = 0.0155) Kendall negative correlation coefficient of -0.2705 among PFOS content in eggs and the recorded hatching success prompts for further investigation on associated exposure assessment and related eco-toxicity risk. This work reports for the first time PFAS presence in georeferenced loggerhead turtle eggs of the Mediterranean Sea and results represent a starting point to study PFAS time-trends in this vulnerable species.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Turtles; Italy; Mediterranean Sea; Fluorocarbons; Decanoic Acids
PubMed: 38159636
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123257