scholarly journals Gene Expression and Functional Analyses of Odorant Receptors in Small Hive Beetles (Aethina tumida)

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 4582
Author(s):  
Yuanzhen Liu ◽  
Alexis Beaurepaire ◽  
Curtis W. Rogers ◽  
Dawn Lopez ◽  
Jay D. Evans ◽  
...  

Olfaction is key to many insects. Odorant receptors (ORs) stand among the key chemosensory receptors mediating the detection of pheromones and kairomones. Small hive beetles (SHBs), Aethina tumida, are parasites of social bee colonies and olfactory cues are especially important for host finding. However, how interactions with their hosts may have shaped the evolution of ORs in the SHB remains poorly understood. Here, for the first time, we analyzed the evolution of SHB ORs through phylogenetic and positive selection analyses. We then tested the expression of selected OR genes in antennae, heads, and abdomens in four groups of adult SHBs: colony odor-experienced/-naive males and females. The results show that SHBs experienced both OR gene losses and duplications, thereby providing a first understanding of the evolution of SHB ORs. Additionally, three candidate ORs potentially involved in host finding and/or chemical communication were identified. Significantly different downregulations of ORs between the abdomens of male and female SHBs exposed to colony odors may reflect that these expression patterns might also reflect other internal events, e.g., oviposition. Altogether, these results provide novel insights into the evolution of SHB ORs and provide a valuable resource for analyzing the function of key genes, e.g., for developing biological control. These results will also help in understanding the chemosensory system in SHBs and other beetles.

2014 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 195-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dafne Pérez-Montarelo ◽  
Ole Madsen ◽  
Estefânia Alves ◽  
M. Carmen Rodríguez ◽  
Josep María Folch ◽  
...  

Previous studies on Iberian × Landrace (IBMAP) pig intercrosses have enabled the identification of several quantitative trait locus (QTL) regions related to growth and fatness traits; however, the genetic variation underlying those QTLs are still unknown. These traits are not only relevant because of their impact on economically important production traits, but also because pig constitutes a widely studied animal model for human obesity and obesity-related diseases. The hypothalamus is the main gland regulating growth, food intake, and fat accumulation. Therefore, the aim of this work was to identify genes and/or gene transcripts involved in the determination of growth and fatness in pig by a comparison of the whole hypothalamic transcriptome (RNA-Seq) in two groups of phenotypically divergent IBMAP pigs. Around 16,000 of the ∼25.010 annotated genes were expressed in these hypothalamic samples, with most of them showing intermediate expression levels. Functional analyses supported the key role of the hypothalamus in the regulation of growth, fat accumulation, and energy expenditure. Moreover, 58,927 potentially new isoforms were detected. More than 250 differentially expressed genes and novel transcript isoforms were identified between the two groups of pigs. Twenty-one DE genes/transcripts that colocalized in previously identified QTL regions and/or whose biological functions are related to the traits of interest were explored in more detail. Additionally, the transcription factors potentially regulating these genes and the subjacent networks and pathways were also analyzed. This study allows us to propose strong candidate genes for growth and fatness based on expression patterns, genomic location, and network interactions.


1997 ◽  
Vol 200 (3) ◽  
pp. 433-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
R G Vogt ◽  
S M Lindsay ◽  
C A Byrd ◽  
M Sun

Olfactory neurons have a complex phenotype characterized by their expression of a specific odor receptor (OR) gene and their targeting of an equally specific locus in the olfactory bulb. In the adult fish, olfactory neurons expressing specific ORs are broadly distributed in the epithelium, intermingling with neurons expressing other OR phenotypes. This distributed adult pattern has led to the suggestion that olfactory neuron phenotype is determined by a stochastic process, independent of external positional cues. However, when the fish olfactory system is established during embryogenesis it is simple in its organization, with few olfactory neurons and an olfactory epithelium that has not yet folded into the adult morphology. It is possible that positional cues might act in the embryo to establish an initial population and pattern of olfactory neuron phenotypes and that subsequent morphogenesis and neuronal addition lead to the randomized distribution of neurons. To test this possibility, we examined the spatial patterns of olfactory neurons expressing specific OR genes in 48 h embryos, a time of relative simplicity in the developing olfactory epithelium. Three-dimensional plots of neuron distributions were made, and comparison of OR expression patterns were made between right and left epithelia, between individual animals and between different OR genes. The patterns of OR gene expression were not conserved in these comparison. Mathematical analysis of 21 epithelia for the degree of order in the distribution of olfactory neurons argued strongly that the neurons expressing given ORs are randomly distributed in the 48 h embryos. These results are consistent with those observed from adult tissue and support models suggesting that extrinsic positional cues do not have a major role in specifying olfactory neuron phenotypes.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dapeng Jing ◽  
Tiantao Zhang ◽  
Shuxiong Bai ◽  
Kanglai He ◽  
Sivaprasath Prabu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Conogethes pinicolalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is similar to Conogethes punctiferalis (yellow peach moth) and its host plant is gymnosperms, especially for masson pine. So far, less literature was reported on this pest. In present study, we sequenced and characterized the antennal transcriptomes of male and female C. pinicolalis for the first time. Results Totally, 26 odorant-binding proteins (OBP) genes, 19 chemosensory proteins (CSP) genes, 55 odorant receptors (OR) genes and 20 ionotropic receptors (IR) genes were identified from the C. pinicolalis antennae transcriptome and most of them were olfactory genes, amino sequences were annotated against homologs of C. punctiferalis. The neighbor-joining tree indicated that the amino acid sequence of olfactory related genes is highly homologous with C. punctiferalis. Furthermore, the reference genes were selected, and we strongly recommended the GAPDH or RP49 to verify gene expression for larvae development and RP49 or RPL13 for adult tissues. Conclusions Our study provides a starting point on the molecular level characterization between C. pinicolalis and C. punctiferalis, which might be a supportive for pest management studies in future.


Genetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Yung Wa Sin ◽  
Alison Cloutier ◽  
Gabrielle Nevitt ◽  
Scott V Edwards

Abstract Procellariiform seabirds rely on their sense of smell for foraging and homing. Both genomes and transcriptomes yield important clues about how olfactory receptor (OR) subgenomes are shaped by natural and sexual selection, yet no transcriptomes have been made of any olfactory epithelium of any bird species thus far. Here we assembled a high-quality genome and nasal epithelium transcriptome of the Leach’s storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) to extensively characterize their OR repertoire. Using a depth-of-coverage-assisted counting method, we estimated over 160 intact OR genes (∼500 including OR fragments). This method reveals the highest number of intact OR genes and the lowest proportion of pseudogenes compared to other waterbirds studied, and suggests that rates of OR gene duplication vary between major clades of birds, with particularly high rates in passerines. OR expression patterns reveal two OR genes (OR6-6 and OR5-11) highly expressed in adults, and four OR genes (OR14-14, OR14-12, OR10-2, and OR14-9) differentially expressed between age classes of storm-petrels. All four genes differentially expressed between age classes were more highly expressed in chicks compared to adults, suggesting that ORs genes may exhibit ontogenetic specializations. Three highly differentially expressed OR genes also had high copy number ratios, suggesting that expression variation may be linked to copy number in the genome. We provide better estimates of OR gene number by using a copy number-assisted counting method, and document ontogenetic changes in OR gene expression that may be linked to olfactory specialization. These results provide valuable insight into the expression, development, and macroevolution of olfaction in seabirds.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dapeng Jing ◽  
Tiantao Zhang ◽  
Shuxiong Bai ◽  
Kanglai He ◽  
Sivaprasath Prabu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Conogethes pinicolalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is similar to Conogethes punctiferalis (yellow peach moth) and its host plant is gymnosperms, especially for masson pine. So far, less literature was reported on this pest. In present study, we sequenced and characterized the antennal transcriptomes of male and female C. pinicolalis for the first time. Results Totally, 26 odorant-binding proteins (OBP) genes, 19 chemosensory proteins (CSP) genes, 55 odorant receptors (OR) genes and 20 ionotropic receptors (IR) genes were identified from the C. pinicolalis antennae transcriptome and most of them were olfactory genes, amino sequences were annotated against homologs of C. punctiferalis. The neighbor-joining tree indicated that the amino acid sequence of olfactory related genes is highly homologous with C. punctiferalis. Furthermore, the reference genes were selected, and we strongly recommended the GAPDH or RP49 to verify gene expression for larvae development and RP49 or RPL13 for adult tissues. Conclusions Our study provides a starting point on the molecular level characterization between C. pinicolalis and C. punctiferalis, which might be a supportive for pest management studies in future.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-90
Author(s):  
Sérgio Nogueira Pereira ◽  
Susana Gottschalk ◽  
Jorge Luiz T. Palmeira ◽  
Junio M. Paulino ◽  
Rosa Maria Antunes ◽  
...  

Abstract. We record, for the first time, the presence of Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in the Rio de Janeiro state, in an apiary constituted by 36 honeybee hives Apis mellifera L. No eggs or larvae of A. tumida were found, only adults. Since this is the second Brazilian state to record an infestation of small hive beetles, the responsible institutions and beekeepers on each federative unit must stay aware of this in order to prevent or retard their spreading.Notas sobre Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) em apiário no estado do Rio de JaneiroResumo. Foi notificada pela primeira vez a presença de Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidade) no estado do Rio de Janeiro em um apiário formado por 36 colmeias de abelhas Apis mellifera L. Não foi constatado presença de ovos ou larvas de A. tumida, somente adultos. Por ser o segundo estado do país a relatar ocorrência de uma espécie exótica considerada uma praga em criações de abelhas do gênero Apis em outros países e por deter pouco conhecimento sobre o impacto desse invasor na apicultura nacional, os órgãos competentes em cada unidade federativa deverão ficar atentos e montar estratégias de prevenção e vigilância, a fim controlar e/ou erradicar A. tumida em solo brasileiro.  


AMB Express ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunmiao Jiang ◽  
Gongbo Lv ◽  
Jinxin Ge ◽  
Bin He ◽  
Zhe Zhang ◽  
...  

AbstractGATA transcription factors (TFs) are involved in the regulation of growth processes and various environmental stresses. Although GATA TFs involved in abiotic stress in plants and some fungi have been analyzed, information regarding GATA TFs in Aspergillusoryzae is extremely poor. In this study, we identified and functionally characterized seven GATA proteins from A.oryzae 3.042 genome, including a novel AoSnf5 GATA TF with 20-residue between the Cys-X2-Cys motifs which was found in Aspergillus GATA TFs for the first time. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these seven A. oryzae GATA TFs could be classified into six subgroups. Analysis of conserved motifs demonstrated that Aspergillus GATA TFs with similar motif compositions clustered in one subgroup, suggesting that they might possess similar genetic functions, further confirming the accuracy of the phylogenetic relationship. Furthermore, the expression patterns of seven A.oryzae GATA TFs under temperature and salt stresses indicated that A. oryzae GATA TFs were mainly responsive to high temperature and high salt stress. The protein–protein interaction network of A.oryzae GATA TFs revealed certain potentially interacting proteins. The comprehensive analysis of A. oryzae GATA TFs will be beneficial for understanding their biological function and evolutionary features and provide an important starting point to further understand the role of GATA TFs in the regulation of distinct environmental conditions in A.oryzae.


2013 ◽  
Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yajing Wang ◽  
Wayne Lau ◽  
Erhe Gao ◽  
Walter Koch ◽  
Xin Ma

Anti-inflammatory and vascular protective actions of adiponectin (APN) are well-recognized. However, many fundamental questions remain unanswered. The current study attempted to identify the APN receptor subtype responsible for APN’s vascular protective action, and investigate the role of ceramidase activation in APN anti-inflammatory signaling. Wild type (WT) or gene manipulated HUVEC were treated with TNFα in the presence and absence of APN. The effect of APN on TNFα-induced inflammatory and oxidative/nitrative stress was determined. In WT HUVEC, APN significantly reduced TNFα-induced ICAM-1 expression and attenuated TNFα-induced superoxide and peroxynitrite formation (P<0.01). These anti-inflammatory actions were virtually abolished by AdipoR1-, but not AdipoR2-, knockdown (KD). Treatment with APN significantly increased neutral ceramidase (nCDase) activity (3.7-fold, P<0.01). AdipoR1-KD markedly (P0.05), reduced APN-induced nCDase activation. More importantly, siRNA mediated nCDase-KD markedly blocked the effect of APN upon TNFα-induced ICAM-1 expression (P0.05), and modestly inhibited APN anti-inflammatory effect (P87% of APN-induced nCDase activation was lost. Whereas APN treatment failed to inhibit TNFα-induced ICAM-1 expression, treatment with S1P or SEW (S1P receptor agonist) remained effective in Cav1-KD cells in reducing TNFα-induced ICAM-1 expression (P<0.01). AdipoR1 and Cav1 co-localized and co-precipitated in HUVECs. APN treatment did not affect this interaction. Moreover, re-expression of WT Cav1 in Cav1-KD cells restored nCDase activation in response to APN (P<0.01 vs. vehicle), whereas re-expression of a mutated Cav1 blocking AdipoR1/Cav1 interaction failed to restore APN-mediated nCDase activation. Finally, there is weak basal Cav1/nCDase interaction, which significantly increased following APN treatment. These results demonstrate for the first time that APN inhibits TNFα-induced inflammatory response via Cav1-mediated ceramidase recruitment and activation in an AdipoR1- dependent fashion.


2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (3) ◽  
pp. H946-H954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Homa Ashrafpour ◽  
Ning Huang ◽  
Peter C. Neligan ◽  
Christopher R. Forrest ◽  
Patrick D. Addison ◽  
...  

Various laboratories have reported that local subcutaneous or subdermal injection of VEGF165 at the time of surgery effectively attenuated ischemic necrosis in rat skin flaps, but the mechanism was not studied and enhanced angiogenesis was implicated. In the present study, we used the clinically relevant isolated perfused 6 × 16-cm pig buttock skin flap model to 1) test our hypothesis that VEGF165 is a potent vasodilator and acute VEGF165 treatment increases skin perfusion; and 2) investigate the mechanism of VEGF165-induced skin vasorelaxation. We observed that VEGF165 (5 × 10–16–5 × 10–11 M) elicited a concentration-dependent decrease in perfusion pressure (i.e., vasorelaxation) in skin flaps preconstricted with a submaximal concentration of norepinephrine (NE), endothelin-1, or U-46619. The VEGF165-induced skin vasorelaxation was confirmed using a dermofluorometry technique for assessment of skin perfusion. The vasorelaxation potency of VEGF165 in NE-preconstricted skin flaps (pD2 = 13.57 ± 0.31) was higher ( P < 0.05) than that of acetylcholine (pD2 = 7.08 ± 0.24). Human placental factor, a specific VEGF receptor-1 agonist, did not elicit any vasorelaxation effect. However, a specific antibody to VEGF receptor-2 (1 μg/ml) or a specific VEGF receptor-2 inhibitor (5 × 10–6 M SU-1498) blocked the vasorelaxation effect of VEGF165 in NE-preconstricted skin flaps. These observations indicate that the potent vasorelaxation effect of VEGF165 in the skin vasculature is initiated by the activation of VEGF receptor-2. Furthermore, using pharmacological probes, we observed that the postreceptor signaling pathways of VEGF165-induced skin vasorelaxation involved activation of phospholipase C and protein kinase C, an increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate activity, release of the intra-cellular Ca2+ store, and synthesis/release of endothelial nitric oxide, which predominantly triggered the effector mechanism of VEGF165-induced vasorelaxation. This information provides, for the first time, an important insight into the mechanism of VEGF165 protein or gene therapy in the prevention/treatment of ischemia in skin flap surgery and skin ischemic diseases.


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