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Fish Physiology and Biochemistry Apr 2024The physiology of ectothermic animals, including fish, is strictly regulated by season-related external factors such as temperature or photoperiod. The immune response...
The physiology of ectothermic animals, including fish, is strictly regulated by season-related external factors such as temperature or photoperiod. The immune response and the production of hormones, such as estrogens, are therefore also subject to seasonal changes. This study in common carp aimed to determine how the season affects the estrogen system and the immune response, including the antibacterial response during Aeromonas salmonicida infection. We compared the immune reaction in spring and autumn in the head kidney and liver and found that carp have higher levels of blood 17β-estradiol in autumn, while in the liver of these fish there is a higher constitutive expression of genes encoding vitellogenin, estrogen receptors and Cyp19 aromatase than in spring. Fish sampled in autumn also exhibited higher expression of immune-related genes in the liver. In contrast, in the head kidney from fish sampled in the autumn, the expression of genes encoding estrogen receptors and aromatase was lower than in spring, and a similar profile of expression was also measured in the head kidney for inos, arginases and il-10. In turn, during bacterial infection, we observed higher upregulation of the expression of inos, il-12p35, ifnγ-2, arginase 2 and il-10 in the liver of carp sampled in spring. In the liver of carp infected in spring a higher upregulation of the expression of the genes encoding CRPs was observed compared to fish infected during autumn. The opposite trend occurred in the head kidney, where the upregulation of the expression of the genes involved in the immune response was higher in fish infected in autumn than in those infected in spring. During the infection, also season-dependent changes occurred in the estrogen system. In conclusion, we demonstrated that season differentially affects the estrogenic and immune activity of the head kidney and liver. These results reinforce our previous findings that the endocrine and immune systems cooperate in maintaining homeostasis and fighting infection.
Topics: Animals; Interleukin-10; Seasons; Aromatase; Estrogens; Receptors, Estrogen; Immunity, Innate; Carps; Fish Diseases; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections
PubMed: 38157099
DOI: 10.1007/s10695-023-01286-2 -
Microbiological Research Mar 2024Honey bees (Apis mellifera) harbour a stable core microbial community within their gut, that is suggested to play a role in metabolic functioning, immune regulation, and...
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) harbour a stable core microbial community within their gut, that is suggested to play a role in metabolic functioning, immune regulation, and host homeostasis. This microbiota presents a unique opportunity to observe the effects of stressors on honey bee health. We examined the effects of two common honey bee stressors: indirect fungicide contamination and nutrient limitation. These effects were observed through changes in their hind- and midgut microbiota using Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (ARISA), alongside high-throughput amplicon sequencing. Expression of the honey bees' immune response was examined through the expression of three immune-related genes, namely, immune deficiency (imd), proPhenolOxidase (proPO), and spaetzle (spz). Additionally, longevity of the honey bees was monitored through observation of the expression levels of Vitellogenin (Vg). Both treatment groups were compared to a negative control, and a diseased positive control. There was no effect on the hindgut microbiota due to the stressors, while significant changes in the midgut was observed. This was also observed in the expression of the immune-related genes within the treatment groups. The Imd pathway was substantially downregulated, with upregulation in the prophenoloxidase pathway. However, no significant effect was observed in the expression of spz, and only the pollen treatment group showed reduced longevity through a downregulation of Vg. Overall, the effect of these two common stressors indicate a compromise in honey bee immunity, and potential vulnerabilities within the immune defence mechanisms.
Topics: Bees; Animals; Fungicides, Industrial; Microbiota; Immunity
PubMed: 38142516
DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127587 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2023The red imported fire ant ( Buren) is a social pest species with a robust reproductive ability that causes extensive damage. Identification of the genes involved in...
The red imported fire ant ( Buren) is a social pest species with a robust reproductive ability that causes extensive damage. Identification of the genes involved in queen fertility is critical in order to better understand the reproductive biology and screening for the potential molecular targets in . Here, we used the mRNA deep sequencing (RNA-seq) approach to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the transcriptomes of three reproductive caste types of , including queen (QA) and winged female (FA) and male (MA) ants. The genes that were specific to and highly expressed in the queens were then screened, and the and genes were chosen as targets to explore their functions in oogenesis and fertility. A minimum of 6.08 giga bases (Gb) of clean reads was obtained from all samples, with a mapping rate > 89.78%. There were 7524, 7133, and 977 DEGs identified in the MA vs. QA, MA vs. FA, and FA vs. QA comparisons, respectively. qRT-PCR was used to validate 10 randomly selected DEGs, including () and (), and their expression patterns were mostly consistent with the RNA-seq data. The Vgs included conserved domains and motifs that are commonly found in most insect Vgs. and were highly expressed in queens and winged females and were most highly expressed in the thorax, followed by the fat body, head, and epidermis. Evaluation based on a loss-of-function-based knockdown analysis showed that the downregulation of either or both of these genes resulted in smaller ovaries, less oogenesis, and less egg production. The results of transcriptional sequencing provide a foundation for clarifying the regulators of queen fertility in . The functions of and as regulators of oogenesis highlight their importance in queen fecundity and their potential as targets of reproductive disruption in control.
Topics: Animals; Female; Male; Vitellogenins; Fire Ants; Reproduction; Fertility; Ants
PubMed: 38138959
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417130 -
Toxics Nov 2023(Fabricius, 1775) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) is a major soybean pest in East Asia that can cause soybean staygreen syndrome. To date, no insecticides have been registered...
(Fabricius, 1775) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) is a major soybean pest in East Asia that can cause soybean staygreen syndrome. To date, no insecticides have been registered for the control of in China, and these insects are primarily controlled in the field through the application of broad-spectrum insecticides including lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) and emamectin benzoate (EMB). Here, the lethal and sublethal effects of LCT and EMB on were comprehensively evaluated. LCT and EMB were both found to exhibit high levels of toxicity and concentration-dependent repellent effects for . The exposure of third instar nymphs from the F generation to LC concentrations of LCT and EMB resulted in a significant increase in the duration of nymph development and adult pre-oviposition period (APOP), together with reductions in fifth instar nymph and adult body weight, longevity, oviposition days, fecundity, vitellarium length, lateral oviduct diameter, and vitellogenin () gene expression as compared to control treatment. Strikingly, these suppressive effects were transmitted to the F generation, which similarly experienced the prolongation of preadult development and the preoviposition period (TPOP). Relative to control-treated populations, the F generation for these insecticide-treated groups also exhibited significant decreases in population parameter values. Overall, these data offer new insight into the impact that LCT and EMB treatment can have on , providing a valuable foundation for the application of these pesticides in the context of integrated pest management strategies aimed at soybean crop preservation.
PubMed: 38133372
DOI: 10.3390/toxics11120971 -
Insects Dec 2023Lepidoptera is one of the most speciose insect orders, causing enormous damage to agricultural and forest crops. Although genome editing has been achieved in a few...
Lepidoptera is one of the most speciose insect orders, causing enormous damage to agricultural and forest crops. Although genome editing has been achieved in a few Lepidoptera for insect controls, most techniques are still limited. Here, by injecting female pupae of the Lepidoptera model species, , gene editing was established using the Receptor-Mediated Ovary Transduction of Cargo (ReMOT) control technique. We identified a oocytes-targeting peptide ligand (BmOTP, a 29 aa of vitellogenin N-terminal of silkworms) with a highly conserved sequence in lepidopteran insects that could efficiently deliver mCherry into oocytes. When BmOTP was fused to CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) and the BmOTP-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complex was injected into female pupae, heritable editing of the offspring was achieved in the silkworms. Compared with embryo microinjection, individual injection is more convenient and eliminates the challenge of injecting extremely small embryos. Our results will significantly facilitate the genetic manipulation of other lepidopteran insects, which is essential for advancing lepidopteran pest control.
PubMed: 38132605
DOI: 10.3390/insects14120932 -
MicroPublication Biology 2023The genes encoding the mitogen-activated protein kinases DRL-1 and FLR-4 are required for growth and lipid homeostasis in . Interestingly, the mutant, which was...
The genes encoding the mitogen-activated protein kinases DRL-1 and FLR-4 are required for growth and lipid homeostasis in . Interestingly, the mutant, which was previously isolated in a forward genetic screen for mutations that confer fluoride resistance, phenocopies the and loss-of-function mutants; however, the genetic identity of is unknown. Through whole genome sequencing, we found that the mutation is an insertion in the locus and disrupts gene function, resulting in dramatic growth defects and impaired vitellogenin production.
PubMed: 38116473
DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.001047 -
Frontiers in Toxicology 2023Japanese medaka () is an acceptable small laboratory fish model for the evaluation and assessment of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in the environment. In...
Japanese medaka () is an acceptable small laboratory fish model for the evaluation and assessment of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in the environment. In this research, we used this fish as a potential tool for the identification of EDCs that have a significant impact on human health. We conducted an electronic search in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed) and Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/) using the search terms, Japanese medaka, , and endocrine disruptions, and sorted 205 articles consisting of 128 chemicals that showed potential effects on estrogen-androgen-thyroid-steroidogenesis (EATS) pathways of Japanese medaka. From these chemicals, 14 compounds, namely, 17β-estradiol (E2), ethinylestradiol (EE2), tamoxifen (TAM), 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), 17β-trenbolone (TRB), flutamide (FLU), vinclozolin (VIN), triiodothyronine (T3), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), terephthalic acid (TPA), trifloxystrobin (TRF), ketoconazole (KTC), and prochloraz (PCZ), were selected as references and used for the identification of apical endpoints within the EATS modalities. Among these endpoints, during classification, priorities are given to sex reversal (masculinization of females and feminization of males), gonad histology (testis-ova or ovotestis), secondary sex characteristics (anal fin papillae of males), plasma and liver vitellogenin (VTG) contents in males, swim bladder inflation during larval development, hepatic vitellogenin () and choriogenin () genes in the liver of males, and several genes, including estrogen-androgen-thyroid receptors in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad/thyroid axis (HPG/T). After reviewing 205 articles, we identified 108 (52.68%), 46 (22.43%), 19 (9.26%), 22 (17.18%), and 26 (12.68%) papers that represented studies on estrogen endocrine disruptors (EEDs), androgen endocrine disruptors (AEDs), thyroid endocrine disruptors (TEDs), and/or steroidogenesis modulators (MOS), respectively. Most importantly, among 128 EDCs, 32 (25%), 22 (17.18%), 15 (11.8%), and 14 (10.93%) chemicals were classified as EEDs, AEDs, TEDs, and MOS, respectively. We also identified 43 (33.59%) chemicals as high-priority candidates for tier 2 tests, and 13 chemicals (10.15%) show enough potential to be considered EDCs without any further tier-based studies. Although our literature search was unable to identify the EATS targets of 45 chemicals (35%) studied in 60 (29.26%) of the 205 articles, our approach has sufficient potential to further move the laboratory-based research data on Japanese medaka for applications in regulatory risk assessments in humans.
PubMed: 38090358
DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2023.1272368 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Nov 2023Mosquitoes such as must consume a blood meal for the nutrients necessary for egg production. Several transcriptome and proteome changes occur post blood meal that...
Mosquitoes such as must consume a blood meal for the nutrients necessary for egg production. Several transcriptome and proteome changes occur post blood meal that likely corresponds with codon usage alterations. Transfer RNA (tRNA) is the adapter molecule that reads messenger RNA (mRNA) codons to add the appropriate amino acid during protein synthesis. Chemical modifications to tRNA enhance codons' decoding, improving the accuracy and efficiency of protein synthesis. Here, we examined tRNA modifications and transcripts associated with the blood meal and subsequent periods of vitellogenesis in . More specifically, we assessed tRNA transcript abundance and modification levels in the fat body at critical times post blood-feeding. Based on a combination of alternative codon usage and identification of particular modifications, we identified that increased transcription of tyrosine tRNAs is likely critical during the synthesis of egg yolk proteins in the fat body following a blood meal. Altogether, changes in both the abundance and modification of tRNA are essential factors in the process of vitellogenin production after blood-feeding in mosquitoes.
PubMed: 38076852
DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.29.569187 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Feb 2024In this study, the disrupting effects of glyphosate (GLY), aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and three glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) on vitellogenesis in a...
In this study, the disrupting effects of glyphosate (GLY), aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and three glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) on vitellogenesis in a non-concentration-dependent manner are reported for the first time in 120 h of acute exposure of zebrafish at environmentally relevant concentrations. GBHs are commonly used worldwide in weed control management. Due to their extensive application, they frequently occur in aquatic ecosystems and may affect various organisms. The active substance GLY and its major by-product, AMPA, are the most thoroughly studied chemicals; however, the adverse effects of the complex formulas of GBHs with diverse and unknown content of co-formulants are still not sufficiently researched. This study focused on the embryotoxicity, sublethal malformations, and estrogenic potency of GLY, AMPA, and four commonly used GBHs on zebrafish embryos using a wild type and an estrogen-sensitive, transgenic zebrafish line (Tg(vtg1:mCherry)). After 120 h of exposition, AMPA did not cause acute toxicity, while the LC of GLY was 160 mg/L. The GBHs were more toxic with LC values ranging from 31 to 111 GLY active equivalent (a.e.) mg/L. Exposure to 0.35-2.8 mg/L GBHs led to sublethal abnormalities: typical symptoms were structural deformation of the lower jaw and anomalies in the olfactory region. Deformity rates were 10-30% in the treated groups. In vivo, fluorescently expressed vtg1 mCherry protein in embryonic liver was detected by a non-invasive microscopic method indicating estrogenic action through vitellogenin production by GLY, AMPA, and GBHs. To confirm the in vivo findings, RT-qPCR method was performed to determine the levels of the estrogenicity-related vtg1 mRNA. After 120 h of exposure to GLY, AMPA, and three GBHs at a concentration of 0.35 mg/L, the expression of vtg1 gene was significantly up-regulated. Our results highlight the risk that short-term GLY and GBH exposure can cause developmental malformations and disrupt the hormonal balance in zebrafish embryos.
Topics: Animals; Glyphosate; Zebrafish; alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid; Glycine; Ecosystem; Herbicides; Animals, Genetically Modified; Estrone; Organophosphonates
PubMed: 38072021
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123113 -
PLoS Pathogens Dec 2023Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular parasites that infect almost all animals, causing serious human diseases and major economic losses to the farming...
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular parasites that infect almost all animals, causing serious human diseases and major economic losses to the farming industry. Nosema bombycis is a typical microsporidium that infects multiple lepidopteran insects via fecal-oral and transovarial transmission (TOT); however, the underlying TOT processes and mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we characterized the TOT process and identified key factors enabling N. bombycis to invade the ovariole and oocyte of silkworm Bombyx mori. We found that the parasites commenced with TOT at the early pupal stage when ovarioles penetrated the ovary wall and were exposed to the hemolymph. Subsequently, the parasites in hemolymph and hemolymph cells firstly infiltrated the ovariole sheath, from where they invaded the oocyte via two routes: (I) infecting follicular cells, thereby penetrating oocytes after proliferation, and (II) infecting nurse cells, thus entering oocytes following replication. In follicle and nurse cells, the parasites restructured and built large vacuoles to deliver themselves into the oocyte. In the whole process, the parasites were coated with B. mori vitellogenin (BmVg) on their surfaces. To investigate the BmVg effects on TOT, we suppressed its expression and found a dramatic decrease of pathogen load in both ovarioles and eggs, suggesting that BmVg plays a crucial role in the TOT. Thereby, we identified the BmVg domains and parasite spore wall proteins (SWPs) mediating the interaction, and demonstrated that the von Willebrand domain (VWD) interacted with SWP12, SWP26 and SWP30, and the unknown function domain (DUF1943) bound with the SWP30. When disrupting these interactions, we found significant reductions of the pathogen load in both ovarioles and eggs, suggesting that the interplays between BmVg and SWPs were vital for the TOT. In conclusion, our study has elucidated key aspects about the microsporidian TOT and revealed the key factors for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying this transmission.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Vitellogenins; Spores, Fungal; Nosema; Bombyx
PubMed: 38060601
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011859