The Experts below are selected from a list of 360 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Le Kang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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aging features of the migratory locust at physiological and transcriptional levels
BMC Genomics, 2021Co-Authors: Siyuan Guo, Pengcheng Yang, Le Kang, Li Hou, Bo Liang, Feng Zhou, Xianhui WangAbstract:Background Non-Drosophila insects provide diverse aging types and important complementary systems for studies of aging biology. However, little attention has been paid to the special roles of non-Drosophila insects in aging research. Here, the aging-related features of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, were determined at the physiological, cellular, and transcriptional levels. Results In physiological assessments, the flight performance and sperm state of Locusts displayed clear aging-related decline in male adults. Transcriptional analyses demonstrated Locusts have similar aging-related genes with model species. However, different from those of Drosophila and mammals, the organ-specific aging transcriptional features of Locusts were characterized by intensive expression changes in flight muscle and fat body and little transcriptional changes in brain. The predominant transcriptional characteristics of flight muscle and fat body aging were changes in expression of mitochondrion-related genes and detoxification and phagocytosis genes, respectively. Cellular assessments revealed the incidence of mitochondrial abnormalities significantly increased in aged flight muscle, and apoptotic signals and nuclear abnormalities were enhanced in aged fat body but not in brain. In addition, some well-known aging genes and locust aging-related genes (i.e., IAP1, PGRP-SA, and LIPT1), whose roles in aging regulation were rarely reported, were demonstrated to affect lifespan, metabolism, and flight ability of Locusts after RNAi. Conclusion This study revealed multi-level aging signatures of locust, thus laying a foundation for further investigation of aging mechanisms in this famous insect in the future.
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phase related differences in egg production of the migratory locust regulated by differential oosorption through microrna 34 targeting activinβ
PLOS Genetics, 2021Co-Authors: Lianfeng Zhao, Feng Jiang, Wei Guo, Hongran Liu, Juan Song, Le KangAbstract:Outbreaks of locust plagues result from the long-term accumulation of high-density egg production. The migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, displays dramatic differences in the egg-laid number with dependence on population density, while solitarious Locusts lay more eggs compared to gregarious ones. However, the regulatory mechanism for the egg-laid number difference is unclear. Herein, we confirm that oosorption plays a crucial role in the regulation of egg number through the comparison of physiological and molecular biological profiles in gregarious and solitarious Locusts. We find that gregarious oocytes display a 15% higher oosorption ratio than solitarious ones. Activinβ (Actβ) is the most highly upregulated gene in the gregarious terminal oocyte (GTO) compared to solitarious terminal oocyte (STO). Meanwhile, Actβ increases sharply from the normal oocyte (N) to resorption body 1 (RB1) stage during oosorption. The knockdown of Actβ significantly reduces the oosorption ratio by 13% in gregarious Locusts, resulting in an increase in the egg-laid number. Based on bioinformatic prediction and experimental verification, microRNA-34 with three isoforms can target Actβ. The microRNAs display higher expression levels in STO than those in GTO and contrasting expression patterns of Actβ from the N to RB1 transition. Overexpression of each miR-34 isoform leads to decreased Actβ levels and significantly reduces the oosorption ratio in gregarious Locusts. In contrast, inhibition of the miR-34 isoforms results in increased Actβ levels and eventually elevates the oosorption ratio of solitarious Locusts. Our study reports an undescribed mechanism of oosorption through miRNA targeting of a TGFβ ligand and provides new insights into the mechanism of density-dependent reproductive adaption in insects.
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4 vinylanisole is an aggregation pheromone in Locusts
Nature, 2020Co-Authors: Qiaoqiao Yu, Dafeng Chen, Pengcheng Yang, Jia Yu, Xianhui Wang, Le KangAbstract:Locust plagues threaten agricultural and environmental safety throughout the world1,2. Aggregation pheromones have a crucial role in the transition of Locusts from a solitary form to the devastating gregarious form and the formation of large-scale swarms3,4. However, none of the candidate compounds reported5-7 meet all the criteria for a locust aggregation pheromone. Here, using behavioural assays, electrophysiological recording, olfactory receptor characterization and field experiments, we demonstrate that 4-vinylanisole (4VA) (also known as 4-methoxystyrene) is an aggregation pheromone of the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria). Both gregarious and solitary Locusts are strongly attracted to 4VA, regardless of age and sex. Although it is emitted specifically by gregarious Locusts, 4VA production can be triggered by aggregation of four to five solitary Locusts. It elicits responses specifically from basiconic sensilla on locust antennae. We also identified OR35 as a specific olfactory receptor of 4VA. Knockout of OR35 using CRISPR-Cas9 markedly reduced the electrophysiological responses of the antennae and impaired 4VA behavioural attractiveness. Finally, field trapping experiments verified the attractiveness of 4VA to experimental and wild populations. These findings identify a locust aggregation pheromone and provide insights for the development of novel control strategies for Locusts.
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dna methyltransferase 3 participates in behavioral phase change in the migratory locust
Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2020Co-Authors: Li Hou, Pengcheng Yang, Le Kang, Xuesong Wang, Zhe Lin, Xianhui WangAbstract:Abstract DNA methylation plays important roles in the behavioral plasticity of animals. The migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, displays striking density-dependent phenotypic plasticity that can reversely transit between solitarious and gregarious phases. However, the role and the mechanism through which DNA methylation is involved in locust phase change remain unknown. Here, we investigated the expression levels of three DNA methyltransferase genes and their roles in the regulation of locust phase changes. All three Dnmt genes, namely, Dnmt1, Dnmt2 and Dnmt3 showed high expression levels in the brains of gregarious Locusts. By contrast, only Dnmt3 transcript rapidly responded to population density changes, decreasing during the isolation of gregarious Locusts and steadily increasing upon the crowding of solitarious Locusts. Dnmt3 knockdown significantly reduced the phase-related locomotor activity, rather than the attraction index, in gregarious and crowded solitarious Locusts. Transcriptome analysis showed that Dnmt3 knockdown upregulated the genes related to metabolism and transporting activity and downregulated those associated with oxidative stress response. The expression level of the phase-core transcriptional factor, hormone receptor HR3, was significantly suppressed in the brain after Dnmt3 knockdown. Moreover, there was significant overlap in the differentially expressed genes between Dnmt3 RNAi and HR3 RNAi data sets, suggesting HR3 may act as key transcriptional factor mediating Dnmt3-controlled gene expression profiles in locust brains. These findings suggest that Dnmt3 transcription is involved in locust behavioral transition, implying the possible roles of DNA methylation in phase-related phenotypic plasticity in Locusts.
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Table_1_Identification of Odorant-Binding Proteins (OBPs) and Functional Analysis of Phase-Related OBPs in the Migratory Locust.PDF
2018Co-Authors: Wei Guo, Xianhui Wang, Feng Jiang, Lianfeng Zhao, Juan Song, Dani Ren, Le KangAbstract:Olfactory plasticity, which is one of the major characteristics of density-dependent phase polyphenism, plays critical roles in the large-scale aggregation formation of Locusta migratoria. It is still unknown whether odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are involved in phase-related olfactory plasticity of Locusts, despite the confirmed involvement of several types of olfactory perception genes. In this study, we performed a large-scale search for OBPs and verified their expression patterns in the migratory locust. We identified 17 OBPs in the L. migratoria genome, of which 10 were novel, and we found their scattering distribution characteristics by mapping the genomic loci. Next, we revealed that these OBPs with close phylogenic relationships displayed similar tissue-specific expression profiles by a combined analysis of qRT-PCR and phylogenetic tree reconstruction. In all identified locust OBPs, seven OBPs showed differential mRNA expression levels in antenna tissue between gregarious and solitarious nymphs. Six of these seven OBPs displayed higher mRNA expression in the antennae of gregarious nymphs. The mRNA expression of LmigOBP2 and LmigOBP4 increased during gregarization and decreased during solitarization. RNAi experiments confirmed that only LmigOBP4 regulates the behavioral traits to affect gregarious behavior. These results demonstrated that OBPs also play important roles in the regulation of phase-related behavior of the Locusts.
Xianhui Wang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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aging features of the migratory locust at physiological and transcriptional levels
BMC Genomics, 2021Co-Authors: Siyuan Guo, Pengcheng Yang, Le Kang, Li Hou, Bo Liang, Feng Zhou, Xianhui WangAbstract:Background Non-Drosophila insects provide diverse aging types and important complementary systems for studies of aging biology. However, little attention has been paid to the special roles of non-Drosophila insects in aging research. Here, the aging-related features of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, were determined at the physiological, cellular, and transcriptional levels. Results In physiological assessments, the flight performance and sperm state of Locusts displayed clear aging-related decline in male adults. Transcriptional analyses demonstrated Locusts have similar aging-related genes with model species. However, different from those of Drosophila and mammals, the organ-specific aging transcriptional features of Locusts were characterized by intensive expression changes in flight muscle and fat body and little transcriptional changes in brain. The predominant transcriptional characteristics of flight muscle and fat body aging were changes in expression of mitochondrion-related genes and detoxification and phagocytosis genes, respectively. Cellular assessments revealed the incidence of mitochondrial abnormalities significantly increased in aged flight muscle, and apoptotic signals and nuclear abnormalities were enhanced in aged fat body but not in brain. In addition, some well-known aging genes and locust aging-related genes (i.e., IAP1, PGRP-SA, and LIPT1), whose roles in aging regulation were rarely reported, were demonstrated to affect lifespan, metabolism, and flight ability of Locusts after RNAi. Conclusion This study revealed multi-level aging signatures of locust, thus laying a foundation for further investigation of aging mechanisms in this famous insect in the future.
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4 vinylanisole is an aggregation pheromone in Locusts
Nature, 2020Co-Authors: Qiaoqiao Yu, Dafeng Chen, Pengcheng Yang, Jia Yu, Xianhui Wang, Le KangAbstract:Locust plagues threaten agricultural and environmental safety throughout the world1,2. Aggregation pheromones have a crucial role in the transition of Locusts from a solitary form to the devastating gregarious form and the formation of large-scale swarms3,4. However, none of the candidate compounds reported5-7 meet all the criteria for a locust aggregation pheromone. Here, using behavioural assays, electrophysiological recording, olfactory receptor characterization and field experiments, we demonstrate that 4-vinylanisole (4VA) (also known as 4-methoxystyrene) is an aggregation pheromone of the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria). Both gregarious and solitary Locusts are strongly attracted to 4VA, regardless of age and sex. Although it is emitted specifically by gregarious Locusts, 4VA production can be triggered by aggregation of four to five solitary Locusts. It elicits responses specifically from basiconic sensilla on locust antennae. We also identified OR35 as a specific olfactory receptor of 4VA. Knockout of OR35 using CRISPR-Cas9 markedly reduced the electrophysiological responses of the antennae and impaired 4VA behavioural attractiveness. Finally, field trapping experiments verified the attractiveness of 4VA to experimental and wild populations. These findings identify a locust aggregation pheromone and provide insights for the development of novel control strategies for Locusts.
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dna methyltransferase 3 participates in behavioral phase change in the migratory locust
Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2020Co-Authors: Li Hou, Pengcheng Yang, Le Kang, Xuesong Wang, Zhe Lin, Xianhui WangAbstract:Abstract DNA methylation plays important roles in the behavioral plasticity of animals. The migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, displays striking density-dependent phenotypic plasticity that can reversely transit between solitarious and gregarious phases. However, the role and the mechanism through which DNA methylation is involved in locust phase change remain unknown. Here, we investigated the expression levels of three DNA methyltransferase genes and their roles in the regulation of locust phase changes. All three Dnmt genes, namely, Dnmt1, Dnmt2 and Dnmt3 showed high expression levels in the brains of gregarious Locusts. By contrast, only Dnmt3 transcript rapidly responded to population density changes, decreasing during the isolation of gregarious Locusts and steadily increasing upon the crowding of solitarious Locusts. Dnmt3 knockdown significantly reduced the phase-related locomotor activity, rather than the attraction index, in gregarious and crowded solitarious Locusts. Transcriptome analysis showed that Dnmt3 knockdown upregulated the genes related to metabolism and transporting activity and downregulated those associated with oxidative stress response. The expression level of the phase-core transcriptional factor, hormone receptor HR3, was significantly suppressed in the brain after Dnmt3 knockdown. Moreover, there was significant overlap in the differentially expressed genes between Dnmt3 RNAi and HR3 RNAi data sets, suggesting HR3 may act as key transcriptional factor mediating Dnmt3-controlled gene expression profiles in locust brains. These findings suggest that Dnmt3 transcription is involved in locust behavioral transition, implying the possible roles of DNA methylation in phase-related phenotypic plasticity in Locusts.
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Identification of Odorant-Binding Proteins (OBPs) and Functional Analysis of Phase-Related OBPs in the Migratory Locust
Frontiers Media S.A., 2018Co-Authors: Wei Guo, Xianhui Wang, Le Kang, Feng Jiang, Lianfeng Zhao, Juan Song, Dani RenAbstract:Olfactory plasticity, which is one of the major characteristics of density-dependent phase polyphenism, plays critical roles in the large-scale aggregation formation of Locusta migratoria. It is still unknown whether odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are involved in phase-related olfactory plasticity of Locusts, despite the confirmed involvement of several types of olfactory perception genes. In this study, we performed a large-scale search for OBPs and verified their expression patterns in the migratory locust. We identified 17 OBPs in the L. migratoria genome, of which 10 were novel, and we found their scattering distribution characteristics by mapping the genomic loci. Next, we revealed that these OBPs with close phylogenic relationships displayed similar tissue-specific expression profiles by a combined analysis of qRT-PCR and phylogenetic tree reconstruction. In all identified locust OBPs, seven OBPs showed differential mRNA expression levels in antenna tissue between gregarious and solitarious nymphs. Six of these seven OBPs displayed higher mRNA expression in the antennae of gregarious nymphs. The mRNA expression of LmigOBP2 and LmigOBP4 increased during gregarization and decreased during solitarization. RNAi experiments confirmed that only LmigOBP4 regulates the behavioral traits to affect gregarious behavior. These results demonstrated that OBPs also play important roles in the regulation of phase-related behavior of the Locusts
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Data_Sheet_1_Identification of Odorant-Binding Proteins (OBPs) and Functional Analysis of Phase-Related OBPs in the Migratory Locust.DOCX
2018Co-Authors: Wei Guo, Xianhui Wang, Feng Jiang, Lianfeng Zhao, Juan Song, Dani Ren, Le KangAbstract:Olfactory plasticity, which is one of the major characteristics of density-dependent phase polyphenism, plays critical roles in the large-scale aggregation formation of Locusta migratoria. It is still unknown whether odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are involved in phase-related olfactory plasticity of Locusts, despite the confirmed involvement of several types of olfactory perception genes. In this study, we performed a large-scale search for OBPs and verified their expression patterns in the migratory locust. We identified 17 OBPs in the L. migratoria genome, of which 10 were novel, and we found their scattering distribution characteristics by mapping the genomic loci. Next, we revealed that these OBPs with close phylogenic relationships displayed similar tissue-specific expression profiles by a combined analysis of qRT-PCR and phylogenetic tree reconstruction. In all identified locust OBPs, seven OBPs showed differential mRNA expression levels in antenna tissue between gregarious and solitarious nymphs. Six of these seven OBPs displayed higher mRNA expression in the antennae of gregarious nymphs. The mRNA expression of LmigOBP2 and LmigOBP4 increased during gregarization and decreased during solitarization. RNAi experiments confirmed that only LmigOBP4 regulates the behavioral traits to affect gregarious behavior. These results demonstrated that OBPs also play important roles in the regulation of phase-related behavior of the Locusts.
Wei Guo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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phase related differences in egg production of the migratory locust regulated by differential oosorption through microrna 34 targeting activinβ
PLOS Genetics, 2021Co-Authors: Lianfeng Zhao, Feng Jiang, Wei Guo, Hongran Liu, Juan Song, Le KangAbstract:Outbreaks of locust plagues result from the long-term accumulation of high-density egg production. The migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, displays dramatic differences in the egg-laid number with dependence on population density, while solitarious Locusts lay more eggs compared to gregarious ones. However, the regulatory mechanism for the egg-laid number difference is unclear. Herein, we confirm that oosorption plays a crucial role in the regulation of egg number through the comparison of physiological and molecular biological profiles in gregarious and solitarious Locusts. We find that gregarious oocytes display a 15% higher oosorption ratio than solitarious ones. Activinβ (Actβ) is the most highly upregulated gene in the gregarious terminal oocyte (GTO) compared to solitarious terminal oocyte (STO). Meanwhile, Actβ increases sharply from the normal oocyte (N) to resorption body 1 (RB1) stage during oosorption. The knockdown of Actβ significantly reduces the oosorption ratio by 13% in gregarious Locusts, resulting in an increase in the egg-laid number. Based on bioinformatic prediction and experimental verification, microRNA-34 with three isoforms can target Actβ. The microRNAs display higher expression levels in STO than those in GTO and contrasting expression patterns of Actβ from the N to RB1 transition. Overexpression of each miR-34 isoform leads to decreased Actβ levels and significantly reduces the oosorption ratio in gregarious Locusts. In contrast, inhibition of the miR-34 isoforms results in increased Actβ levels and eventually elevates the oosorption ratio of solitarious Locusts. Our study reports an undescribed mechanism of oosorption through miRNA targeting of a TGFβ ligand and provides new insights into the mechanism of density-dependent reproductive adaption in insects.
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juvenile hormone dependent kazal type serine protease inhibitor greglin safeguards insect vitellogenesis and egg production
The FASEB Journal, 2019Co-Authors: Wei Guo, Lianfeng Zhao, Libin Yang, Zhaokui Cai, Shutang ZhouAbstract:In addition to preventing insect metamorphosis, juvenile hormone (JH) is known to stimulate aspects of insect reproduction. However, the molecular mechanisms of JH action in insect reproduction remain largely unknown. By reanalyzing the transcriptomic data from adults and other developmental stages of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria, we identified a gene coding for Kazal-type protease inhibitor, previously named Greglin. Greglin is specifically expressed in adult females and most abundant in the fat body and ovaries. Interestingly, Greglin is among the top 3 of highly expressed genes in adult female Locusts, after 2 vitellogenin ( Vg) genes. Greglin is induced by JH and expressed at remarkably high levels in the vitellogenic stage. Knockdown of Greglin in adult female Locusts results in accelerated degradation of serine protease substrate and significantly reduced levels of Greglin protein in hemolymph and ovaries. The consequent phenotypes include blocked oocyte maturation, arrested ovarian growth and shrunken follicular epithelium, as well as declines in egg number and hatchability. The data provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, that JH-dependent Greglin is involved in locust vitellogenesis and oocyte maturation likely by protecting vitellogenesis and other forms of yolk precursors from proteolysis. The result offers new insights into the regulation of JH and function of protease inhibitors in insect vitellogenesis, oocyte maturation and fecundity.-Guo, W., Wu, Z., Yang, L., Cai, Z., Zhao, L., Zhou, S. Juvenile hormone-dependent Kazal-type serine protease inhibitor Greglin safeguards insect vitellogenesis and egg production.
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Image_2_Identification of Odorant-Binding Proteins (OBPs) and Functional Analysis of Phase-Related OBPs in the Migratory Locust.TIF
2018Co-Authors: Wei Guo, Xianhui Wang, Feng Jiang, Lianfeng Zhao, Juan Song, Dani Ren, Le KangAbstract:Olfactory plasticity, which is one of the major characteristics of density-dependent phase polyphenism, plays critical roles in the large-scale aggregation formation of Locusta migratoria. It is still unknown whether odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are involved in phase-related olfactory plasticity of Locusts, despite the confirmed involvement of several types of olfactory perception genes. In this study, we performed a large-scale search for OBPs and verified their expression patterns in the migratory locust. We identified 17 OBPs in the L. migratoria genome, of which 10 were novel, and we found their scattering distribution characteristics by mapping the genomic loci. Next, we revealed that these OBPs with close phylogenic relationships displayed similar tissue-specific expression profiles by a combined analysis of qRT-PCR and phylogenetic tree reconstruction. In all identified locust OBPs, seven OBPs showed differential mRNA expression levels in antenna tissue between gregarious and solitarious nymphs. Six of these seven OBPs displayed higher mRNA expression in the antennae of gregarious nymphs. The mRNA expression of LmigOBP2 and LmigOBP4 increased during gregarization and decreased during solitarization. RNAi experiments confirmed that only LmigOBP4 regulates the behavioral traits to affect gregarious behavior. These results demonstrated that OBPs also play important roles in the regulation of phase-related behavior of the Locusts.
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Table_1_Identification of Odorant-Binding Proteins (OBPs) and Functional Analysis of Phase-Related OBPs in the Migratory Locust.PDF
2018Co-Authors: Wei Guo, Xianhui Wang, Feng Jiang, Lianfeng Zhao, Juan Song, Dani Ren, Le KangAbstract:Olfactory plasticity, which is one of the major characteristics of density-dependent phase polyphenism, plays critical roles in the large-scale aggregation formation of Locusta migratoria. It is still unknown whether odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are involved in phase-related olfactory plasticity of Locusts, despite the confirmed involvement of several types of olfactory perception genes. In this study, we performed a large-scale search for OBPs and verified their expression patterns in the migratory locust. We identified 17 OBPs in the L. migratoria genome, of which 10 were novel, and we found their scattering distribution characteristics by mapping the genomic loci. Next, we revealed that these OBPs with close phylogenic relationships displayed similar tissue-specific expression profiles by a combined analysis of qRT-PCR and phylogenetic tree reconstruction. In all identified locust OBPs, seven OBPs showed differential mRNA expression levels in antenna tissue between gregarious and solitarious nymphs. Six of these seven OBPs displayed higher mRNA expression in the antennae of gregarious nymphs. The mRNA expression of LmigOBP2 and LmigOBP4 increased during gregarization and decreased during solitarization. RNAi experiments confirmed that only LmigOBP4 regulates the behavioral traits to affect gregarious behavior. These results demonstrated that OBPs also play important roles in the regulation of phase-related behavior of the Locusts.
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Data_Sheet_1_Identification of Odorant-Binding Proteins (OBPs) and Functional Analysis of Phase-Related OBPs in the Migratory Locust.DOCX
2018Co-Authors: Wei Guo, Xianhui Wang, Feng Jiang, Lianfeng Zhao, Juan Song, Dani Ren, Le KangAbstract:Olfactory plasticity, which is one of the major characteristics of density-dependent phase polyphenism, plays critical roles in the large-scale aggregation formation of Locusta migratoria. It is still unknown whether odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are involved in phase-related olfactory plasticity of Locusts, despite the confirmed involvement of several types of olfactory perception genes. In this study, we performed a large-scale search for OBPs and verified their expression patterns in the migratory locust. We identified 17 OBPs in the L. migratoria genome, of which 10 were novel, and we found their scattering distribution characteristics by mapping the genomic loci. Next, we revealed that these OBPs with close phylogenic relationships displayed similar tissue-specific expression profiles by a combined analysis of qRT-PCR and phylogenetic tree reconstruction. In all identified locust OBPs, seven OBPs showed differential mRNA expression levels in antenna tissue between gregarious and solitarious nymphs. Six of these seven OBPs displayed higher mRNA expression in the antennae of gregarious nymphs. The mRNA expression of LmigOBP2 and LmigOBP4 increased during gregarization and decreased during solitarization. RNAi experiments confirmed that only LmigOBP4 regulates the behavioral traits to affect gregarious behavior. These results demonstrated that OBPs also play important roles in the regulation of phase-related behavior of the Locusts.
Feng Jiang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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phase related differences in egg production of the migratory locust regulated by differential oosorption through microrna 34 targeting activinβ
PLOS Genetics, 2021Co-Authors: Lianfeng Zhao, Feng Jiang, Wei Guo, Hongran Liu, Juan Song, Le KangAbstract:Outbreaks of locust plagues result from the long-term accumulation of high-density egg production. The migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, displays dramatic differences in the egg-laid number with dependence on population density, while solitarious Locusts lay more eggs compared to gregarious ones. However, the regulatory mechanism for the egg-laid number difference is unclear. Herein, we confirm that oosorption plays a crucial role in the regulation of egg number through the comparison of physiological and molecular biological profiles in gregarious and solitarious Locusts. We find that gregarious oocytes display a 15% higher oosorption ratio than solitarious ones. Activinβ (Actβ) is the most highly upregulated gene in the gregarious terminal oocyte (GTO) compared to solitarious terminal oocyte (STO). Meanwhile, Actβ increases sharply from the normal oocyte (N) to resorption body 1 (RB1) stage during oosorption. The knockdown of Actβ significantly reduces the oosorption ratio by 13% in gregarious Locusts, resulting in an increase in the egg-laid number. Based on bioinformatic prediction and experimental verification, microRNA-34 with three isoforms can target Actβ. The microRNAs display higher expression levels in STO than those in GTO and contrasting expression patterns of Actβ from the N to RB1 transition. Overexpression of each miR-34 isoform leads to decreased Actβ levels and significantly reduces the oosorption ratio in gregarious Locusts. In contrast, inhibition of the miR-34 isoforms results in increased Actβ levels and eventually elevates the oosorption ratio of solitarious Locusts. Our study reports an undescribed mechanism of oosorption through miRNA targeting of a TGFβ ligand and provides new insights into the mechanism of density-dependent reproductive adaption in insects.
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Image_2_Identification of Odorant-Binding Proteins (OBPs) and Functional Analysis of Phase-Related OBPs in the Migratory Locust.TIF
2018Co-Authors: Wei Guo, Xianhui Wang, Feng Jiang, Lianfeng Zhao, Juan Song, Dani Ren, Le KangAbstract:Olfactory plasticity, which is one of the major characteristics of density-dependent phase polyphenism, plays critical roles in the large-scale aggregation formation of Locusta migratoria. It is still unknown whether odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are involved in phase-related olfactory plasticity of Locusts, despite the confirmed involvement of several types of olfactory perception genes. In this study, we performed a large-scale search for OBPs and verified their expression patterns in the migratory locust. We identified 17 OBPs in the L. migratoria genome, of which 10 were novel, and we found their scattering distribution characteristics by mapping the genomic loci. Next, we revealed that these OBPs with close phylogenic relationships displayed similar tissue-specific expression profiles by a combined analysis of qRT-PCR and phylogenetic tree reconstruction. In all identified locust OBPs, seven OBPs showed differential mRNA expression levels in antenna tissue between gregarious and solitarious nymphs. Six of these seven OBPs displayed higher mRNA expression in the antennae of gregarious nymphs. The mRNA expression of LmigOBP2 and LmigOBP4 increased during gregarization and decreased during solitarization. RNAi experiments confirmed that only LmigOBP4 regulates the behavioral traits to affect gregarious behavior. These results demonstrated that OBPs also play important roles in the regulation of phase-related behavior of the Locusts.
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Table_1_Identification of Odorant-Binding Proteins (OBPs) and Functional Analysis of Phase-Related OBPs in the Migratory Locust.PDF
2018Co-Authors: Wei Guo, Xianhui Wang, Feng Jiang, Lianfeng Zhao, Juan Song, Dani Ren, Le KangAbstract:Olfactory plasticity, which is one of the major characteristics of density-dependent phase polyphenism, plays critical roles in the large-scale aggregation formation of Locusta migratoria. It is still unknown whether odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are involved in phase-related olfactory plasticity of Locusts, despite the confirmed involvement of several types of olfactory perception genes. In this study, we performed a large-scale search for OBPs and verified their expression patterns in the migratory locust. We identified 17 OBPs in the L. migratoria genome, of which 10 were novel, and we found their scattering distribution characteristics by mapping the genomic loci. Next, we revealed that these OBPs with close phylogenic relationships displayed similar tissue-specific expression profiles by a combined analysis of qRT-PCR and phylogenetic tree reconstruction. In all identified locust OBPs, seven OBPs showed differential mRNA expression levels in antenna tissue between gregarious and solitarious nymphs. Six of these seven OBPs displayed higher mRNA expression in the antennae of gregarious nymphs. The mRNA expression of LmigOBP2 and LmigOBP4 increased during gregarization and decreased during solitarization. RNAi experiments confirmed that only LmigOBP4 regulates the behavioral traits to affect gregarious behavior. These results demonstrated that OBPs also play important roles in the regulation of phase-related behavior of the Locusts.
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Data_Sheet_1_Identification of Odorant-Binding Proteins (OBPs) and Functional Analysis of Phase-Related OBPs in the Migratory Locust.DOCX
2018Co-Authors: Wei Guo, Xianhui Wang, Feng Jiang, Lianfeng Zhao, Juan Song, Dani Ren, Le KangAbstract:Olfactory plasticity, which is one of the major characteristics of density-dependent phase polyphenism, plays critical roles in the large-scale aggregation formation of Locusta migratoria. It is still unknown whether odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are involved in phase-related olfactory plasticity of Locusts, despite the confirmed involvement of several types of olfactory perception genes. In this study, we performed a large-scale search for OBPs and verified their expression patterns in the migratory locust. We identified 17 OBPs in the L. migratoria genome, of which 10 were novel, and we found their scattering distribution characteristics by mapping the genomic loci. Next, we revealed that these OBPs with close phylogenic relationships displayed similar tissue-specific expression profiles by a combined analysis of qRT-PCR and phylogenetic tree reconstruction. In all identified locust OBPs, seven OBPs showed differential mRNA expression levels in antenna tissue between gregarious and solitarious nymphs. Six of these seven OBPs displayed higher mRNA expression in the antennae of gregarious nymphs. The mRNA expression of LmigOBP2 and LmigOBP4 increased during gregarization and decreased during solitarization. RNAi experiments confirmed that only LmigOBP4 regulates the behavioral traits to affect gregarious behavior. These results demonstrated that OBPs also play important roles in the regulation of phase-related behavior of the Locusts.
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Identification of Odorant-Binding Proteins (OBPs) and Functional Analysis of Phase-Related OBPs in the Migratory Locust
Frontiers Media S.A., 2018Co-Authors: Wei Guo, Xianhui Wang, Le Kang, Feng Jiang, Lianfeng Zhao, Juan Song, Dani RenAbstract:Olfactory plasticity, which is one of the major characteristics of density-dependent phase polyphenism, plays critical roles in the large-scale aggregation formation of Locusta migratoria. It is still unknown whether odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are involved in phase-related olfactory plasticity of Locusts, despite the confirmed involvement of several types of olfactory perception genes. In this study, we performed a large-scale search for OBPs and verified their expression patterns in the migratory locust. We identified 17 OBPs in the L. migratoria genome, of which 10 were novel, and we found their scattering distribution characteristics by mapping the genomic loci. Next, we revealed that these OBPs with close phylogenic relationships displayed similar tissue-specific expression profiles by a combined analysis of qRT-PCR and phylogenetic tree reconstruction. In all identified locust OBPs, seven OBPs showed differential mRNA expression levels in antenna tissue between gregarious and solitarious nymphs. Six of these seven OBPs displayed higher mRNA expression in the antennae of gregarious nymphs. The mRNA expression of LmigOBP2 and LmigOBP4 increased during gregarization and decreased during solitarization. RNAi experiments confirmed that only LmigOBP4 regulates the behavioral traits to affect gregarious behavior. These results demonstrated that OBPs also play important roles in the regulation of phase-related behavior of the Locusts
Guoxiong Peng - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the acid trehalase atm1 contributes to the in vivo growth and virulence of the entomopathogenic fungus metarhizium acridum
Fungal Genetics and Biology, 2015Co-Authors: Guoxiong PengAbstract:Abstract For pathogens, the ability to acquire available nutrients in a host is a key to their survival and replication. Entomopathogenic fungi of the genus Metarhizium secrete trehalase, which enables them to use trehalose, the predominant sugar in insects. Here, the roles of the acid trehalase gene ( ATM1 ) in the in vivo growth and virulence of Metarhizium acridum were investigated. Phenotypic analysis showed that disruption of ATM1 severely reduced fungal growth on exogenous trehalose as the sole carbon source. Bioassays showed that ATM1 disruption impaired the virulence of M. acridum against the host insect Locusta migratoria . The ATM1- disruption strain (Δ ATM1 ) grown more slowly than the wild-type strain (WT) and complemented transformant (CP) in locust blood, which was consistent with the activity of acid trehalase in the hemolymph of infected Locusts. Correspondingly, the trehalose concentration in Locusts infected by Δ ATM1 was significantly higher than in those infected by WT or CP. Thus, ATM1 disruption led to a significant reduction in virulence by adversely affecting the fungal growth in insect hemolymph, which resulted from the inability of the mutant strain to use trehalose.
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integration of an insecticidal scorpion toxin bjαit gene into metarhizium acridum enhances fungal virulence towards locusta migratoria manilensis
Pest Management Science, 2015Co-Authors: Guoxiong PengAbstract:BACKGROUND Entomopathogenic fungi have been developed as biopesticides, but poor efficacy has blocked their application. One approach to improving virulence is by genetic manipulation. BjαIT from the venom of Buthotus judaicus is an insect-selective neurotoxin. To clarify the insecticidal potency of BjαIT as a virulence candidate in microbial biocontrol agents, the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium acridum was genetically modified with BjαIT, and its resulting activity against Locusts (Locusta migratoria manilensis) was assessed. RESULT In comparison with the wild-type strain, the engineered isolate BjαIT-102 grew significantly quicker in locust haemolymph. Correspondingly, the median lethal dose (LC50) for BjαIT-102 was 18.2-fold lower, and the median lethal times (LT50) for BjαIT-102 were reduced by 28.1 and 30.4%, respectively, after topical inoculation and injection. BjαIT-102 formed conidia on dead Locusts, although the conidial yield was reduced 1.58-fold. Moreover, there were no significant differences in germination and appressorium formation between the BjαIT-102 and wild-type strains. CONCLUSION Expression of BjαIT in M. acridum significantly increased virulence against Locusts by shortening the in vivo infection period without affecting conidium formation on the carcasses. This study demonstrated that engineering entomopathogenic fungi to incorporate BjαIT offers great potential for increasing their virulence. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
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expression of scorpion toxin lqhit2 increases the virulence of metarhizium acridum towards locusta migratoria manilensis
Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology, 2014Co-Authors: Guoxiong PengAbstract:LqhIT2 is an insect-specific neurotoxin from the venom of scorpion. In this study, the LqhIT2 gene was introduced into the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium acridum. The virulence of the genetically modified strain MaLqhIT2 was then evaluated against Locusts (Locusta migratoria manilensis). Compared with the wild-type strain, the median lethal cell density (LC50) for MaLqhIT2 was a 22.6-fold lower, and the median times to death (LT50) for MaLqhIT2 were reduced by 30.3 and 29.6 %, respectively, after topical inoculation and injection. MaLqhIT2 also grew significantly faster in the hemolymph than wild-type strain. There were no significant differences in germination, appressorium formation and sporulation in locust carcasses between the MaLqhIT2 and wild-type strain. These results indicate that LqhIT2 increased the virulence of M. acridum towards Locusts by shortening the in vivo infection period, without affecting cuticle penetration or conidia formation in the carcasses. LqhIT2 thus shows considerable potential for increasing fungal virulence against Locusts.
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field trials of metarhizium anisopliae var acridum ascomycota hypocreales against oriental migratory Locusts locusta migratoria manilensis meyen in northern china
Crop Protection, 2008Co-Authors: Guoxiong Peng, Zhongkang Wang, Dengyu ZengAbstract:Abstract During 2002–2006, nymph bands of Locusta migratoria manilensis (Meyen) were treated by ground and aerial applications in 6000 ha of grasslands and the nearby beach of Yellow river using a soybean oil miscible suspension ULV formulation of Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum isolate CQMa102. The formulation was also applied in Tianjin, Henan, Hebei, Shandong and Shanxi provinces of Northern China by ground and aerial applications. During field studies, cage tests were carried out in corresponding field plots in order to estimate the mortality accurately. Doses of 3.3×10 12 and 5.0×10 12 conidia ha −1 were equally effective and caused 90% mortality 9–13 days after treatment. In the ground spray trial, 3.3×10 12 conidia ha −1 killed >90% of L. migratoria manilensis 11–15 days after treatment in a wide variety of vegetation and weather conditions. The decline of locust populations was slower where vegetation was taller and denser. In the aerial spray treatment, the final percent survival of Locusts was lowered to 10% at 11 and 14 days in the field cage and open field Locusts, respectively. Furthermore, the M. anisopliae oil miscible suspension formulation did not appear to harm natural enemies of Locusts in the field.
