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Le Kang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Interactive effect of photoperiod and temperature on the induction and termination of embryonic diapause in the Migratory Locust.
Pest management science, 2021Co-Authors: Wang Xiaoxiao, Jiangling Fan, Meng Zhou, Ge Gao, Liya Wei, Le KangAbstract:BACKGROUND Diapause plays a vital role in the survival and population reproduction of the Migratory Locust in temperate regions. Although some studies have suggested that photoperiod and temperature are two important environmental factors involved in the induction and termination of embryonic diapause in Locusts, the independent or synergetic roles of these two factors are still unclear. RESULTS We designed crossover experiments to investigate the effects of photoperiod, temperature and treatment time on the induction and termination of embryonic diapause in Locusts by optical coherence tomography (OCT), which can track the entire embryonic developmental process via noninvasive 3D real-time imaging. Diapause induction experiments showed that a short photoperiod (in adults) and a low egg treatment temperature are the most important prerequisites for inducing egg diapause. The diapause rate reached 90.7% when the adults were reared under a short photoperiod (8 L:16 D) and the eggs were treated at 22 °C. However, the adult rearing temperature had no significant effect on diapause induction. Analysis of variance also confirmed that there was a significant interactive effect between parental photoperiod and egg treatment temperature. Moreover, diapause termination experiments showed that 13 °C (near the developmental threshold temperature of 15 °C) for 20 days is the most effective condition for terminating diapause. CONCLUSION Our study provides accurate photoperiod and temperature thresholds for inducing and terminating diapause in the Migratory Locust, suggesting potential applications in the prediction and control of Locust plagues.
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Correction to: Core transcriptional signatures of phase change in the Migratory Locust.
Protein & cell, 2020Co-Authors: Pengcheng Yang, Xianhui Wang, Li Hou, Le KangAbstract:In the original publication the photo of the gregarious adult Locust in Fig. 1A is incorrect. The correct photo of adult Migratory Locust is provided in this correction.
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Core transcriptional signatures of phase change in the Migratory Locust
Protein & cell, 2019Co-Authors: Pengcheng Yang, Xianhui Wang, Li Hou, Le KangAbstract:Phenotypic plasticity plays fundamental roles in successful adaptation of animals in response to environmental variations. Here, to reveal the transcriptome reprogramming in Locust phase change, a typical phenotypic plasticity, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of multiple phase-related transcriptomic datasets of the Migratory Locust. We defined PhaseCore genes according to their contribution to phase differentiation by the adjustment for confounding principal components analysis algorithm (AC-PCA). Compared with other genes, PhaseCore genes predicted phase status with over 87.5% accuracy and displayed more unique gene attributes including the faster evolution rate, higher CpG content and higher specific expression level. Then, we identified 20 transcription factors (TFs) named PhaseCoreTF genes that are associated with the regulation of PhaseCore genes. Finally, we experimentally verified the regulatory roles of three representative TFs (Hr4, Hr46, and grh) in phase change by RNAi. Our findings revealed that core transcriptional signatures are involved in the global regulation of Locust phase changes, suggesting a potential common mechanism underlying phenotypic plasticity in insects. The expression and network data are accessible in an online resource called LocustMine (http://www.Locustmine.org:8080/Locustmine).
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aerobic respiration by haemocyanin in the embryo of the Migratory Locust
Insect Molecular Biology, 2017Co-Authors: Bing Chen, Ding Ding, L Wei, Le KangAbstract:It remains unresolved how insect embryos acquire sufficient oxygen to sustain high rates of respiratory metabolism during embryogenesis in the absence of a fully developed tracheal system. Our previous work showed that the two distinct subunits (Hc1 and Hc2) of haemocyanin (Hc), a copper-containing protein, display embryo-specific high expression that is essential for embryonic development and survival in the Migratory Locust Locusta migratoria. Here we investigated the role of haemocyanins in oxygen sensing and supply in the embryo of this Locust. Putative binding sites for hypoxia-regulated transcription factors were identified in the promoter region of all of the Hc1 and Hc2 genes. Embryonic expression of haemocyanins was highly upregulated by ambient O2 deprivation, up to 10-fold at 13% O2 content. The degree of upregulation of haemocyanins increased with increasing levels of hypoxia. Compared with low-altitude Locusts, embryonic expression of haemocyanins in high-altitude Locusts from Tibetan plateau was constitutively higher and more robust to oxygen deprivation. These findings strongly suggest an active involvement of haemocyanins in oxygen exchange in embryos. We thus propose a mechanistic model for embryo respiration in which haemocyanin plays a key role by complementing the tracheal system for oxygen transport during embryogenesis.
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composition and emission dynamics of Migratory Locust volatiles in response to changes in developmental stages and population density
Insect Science, 2017Co-Authors: Jianing Wei, Xianhui Wang, Wenbo Shao, Xiangyong Chen, Le KangAbstract:Chemical communication plays an important role in density-dependent phase change in Locusts. However, the volatile components and emission patterns of the Migratory Locust, Locusta migratoria, are largely unknown. In this study, we identified the chemical compositions and emission dynamics of Locust volatiles from the body and feces and associated them with developmental stages, sexes and phase changes. The Migratory Locust shares a number of volatile components with the desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria), but the emission dynamics of the two Locust species are significantly different. The body odors of the gregarious nymphs in the Migratory Locust consisted of phenylacetonitrile (PAN), benzaldehyde, guaiacol, phenol, aliphatic acids and 2,3-butanediol, and PAN was the dominant volatile. Volatiles from the fecal pellets of the nymphs primarily consist of guaiacol and phenol. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed significant differences in the volatile profiles between gregarious and solitary Locusts. PAN and 4-vinylanisole concentrations were significantly higher in gregarious individuals than in solitary Locusts. Gregarious mature males released significantly higher amounts of PAN and 4-vinylanisole during adulthood than mature females and immature adults of both sexes. Furthermore, PAN and 4-vinylanisole were completely lost in gregarious nymphs during the solitarization process, but were obtained by solitary nymphs during gregarization. The amounts of benzaldehyde, guaiacol and phenol only unidirectionally decreased from solitary to crowded treatment. Aliphatic aldehydes (C7 to C10), which were previously reported as Locust volatiles, are now identified as environmental contaminants. Therefore, our results illustrate the precise odor profiles of Migratory Locusts during developmental stages, sexes and phase change. However, the function and role of PAN and other aromatic compounds during phase transition need further investigation.
Xianhui Wang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Correction to: Core transcriptional signatures of phase change in the Migratory Locust.
Protein & cell, 2020Co-Authors: Pengcheng Yang, Xianhui Wang, Li Hou, Le KangAbstract:In the original publication the photo of the gregarious adult Locust in Fig. 1A is incorrect. The correct photo of adult Migratory Locust is provided in this correction.
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Core transcriptional signatures of phase change in the Migratory Locust
Protein & cell, 2019Co-Authors: Pengcheng Yang, Xianhui Wang, Li Hou, Le KangAbstract:Phenotypic plasticity plays fundamental roles in successful adaptation of animals in response to environmental variations. Here, to reveal the transcriptome reprogramming in Locust phase change, a typical phenotypic plasticity, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of multiple phase-related transcriptomic datasets of the Migratory Locust. We defined PhaseCore genes according to their contribution to phase differentiation by the adjustment for confounding principal components analysis algorithm (AC-PCA). Compared with other genes, PhaseCore genes predicted phase status with over 87.5% accuracy and displayed more unique gene attributes including the faster evolution rate, higher CpG content and higher specific expression level. Then, we identified 20 transcription factors (TFs) named PhaseCoreTF genes that are associated with the regulation of PhaseCore genes. Finally, we experimentally verified the regulatory roles of three representative TFs (Hr4, Hr46, and grh) in phase change by RNAi. Our findings revealed that core transcriptional signatures are involved in the global regulation of Locust phase changes, suggesting a potential common mechanism underlying phenotypic plasticity in insects. The expression and network data are accessible in an online resource called LocustMine (http://www.Locustmine.org:8080/Locustmine).
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composition and emission dynamics of Migratory Locust volatiles in response to changes in developmental stages and population density
Insect Science, 2017Co-Authors: Jianing Wei, Xianhui Wang, Wenbo Shao, Xiangyong Chen, Le KangAbstract:Chemical communication plays an important role in density-dependent phase change in Locusts. However, the volatile components and emission patterns of the Migratory Locust, Locusta migratoria, are largely unknown. In this study, we identified the chemical compositions and emission dynamics of Locust volatiles from the body and feces and associated them with developmental stages, sexes and phase changes. The Migratory Locust shares a number of volatile components with the desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria), but the emission dynamics of the two Locust species are significantly different. The body odors of the gregarious nymphs in the Migratory Locust consisted of phenylacetonitrile (PAN), benzaldehyde, guaiacol, phenol, aliphatic acids and 2,3-butanediol, and PAN was the dominant volatile. Volatiles from the fecal pellets of the nymphs primarily consist of guaiacol and phenol. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed significant differences in the volatile profiles between gregarious and solitary Locusts. PAN and 4-vinylanisole concentrations were significantly higher in gregarious individuals than in solitary Locusts. Gregarious mature males released significantly higher amounts of PAN and 4-vinylanisole during adulthood than mature females and immature adults of both sexes. Furthermore, PAN and 4-vinylanisole were completely lost in gregarious nymphs during the solitarization process, but were obtained by solitary nymphs during gregarization. The amounts of benzaldehyde, guaiacol and phenol only unidirectionally decreased from solitary to crowded treatment. Aliphatic aldehydes (C7 to C10), which were previously reported as Locust volatiles, are now identified as environmental contaminants. Therefore, our results illustrate the precise odor profiles of Migratory Locusts during developmental stages, sexes and phase change. However, the function and role of PAN and other aromatic compounds during phase transition need further investigation.
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composition and emission dynamics of Migratory Locust volatiles in response to changes in developmental stages and population density
Insect Science, 2017Co-Authors: Jianing Wei, Xianhui Wang, Wenbo Shao, Xiangyong Chen, Le KangAbstract:Chemical communication plays an important role in density-dependent phase change in Locusts. However, the volatile components and emission patterns of the Migratory Locust, Locusta migratoria, are largely unknown. In this study, we identified the chemical compositions and emission dynamics of the Locust volatiles from the body and feces and associated them with the developmental stages, sexes, and phase changes. The Migratory Locust shares a number of volatile components with the desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria), but the emission dynamics of the two Locust species are significantly different. The body odors of the gregarious nymphs in the Migratory Locust are consisted of phenylacetonitrile (PAN), benzaldehyde, guaiacol, phenol, aliphatic acids, and 2,3-butanediol, and PAN was the dominant volatile. Volatiles from the fecal pellets of the nymphs primarily consist of guaiacol and phenol. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed significant differences in the volatile profiles between gregarious and solitary Locusts. PAN and 4-vinylanisole concentrations were significantly higher in gregarious individuals than in solitary Locusts. Gregarious mature males released significantly higher amounts of PAN and 4-vinylanisole during adulthood than mature females and immature adults of both sexes. Furthermore, PAN and 4-vinylanisole were completely lost in gregarious nymphs during solitarization process, but were obtained by solitary nymphs during gregarization. The amounts of benzaldehyde, guaiacol, and phenol only unidirectionally decreased from solitary to crowded treatment. Aliphatic aldehydes (C7 to C10), which were previously reported as the Locust volatiles, are now identified as environmental contaminants. Therefore, our results illustrate the precise odor profiles of the Migratory Locusts during developmental stages, sexes, and phase change. However, the function and role of PAN and other aromatic compounds during phase transition need further investigation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
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characteristics and expression patterns of histone modifying enzyme systems in the Migratory Locust
Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2016Co-Authors: Siyuan Guo, Xianhui Wang, Pengcheng Yang, Feng Jiang, Qing Liu, Le KangAbstract:The density-dependent phase polyphenism in Locusts offers an excellent model to investigate the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms underlying phenotypic plasticity. In this study, we identified histone-modifying enzymes mediating histone post-translational modifications, which serve as a major regulatory mechanism of epigenetic processes, on the basis of the whole genome sequence of the Migratory Locust, Locusta migratoria. We confirmed the existence of various functional histone modifications in the Locusts. Compared with other sequenced insect genomes, the Locust genome contains a richer repertoire of histone-modifying enzymes. Several Locust histone-modifying enzymes display vertebrate-like characteristics, such as the presence of a Sirt3-like gene and multiple alternative splicing of GCN5 gene. Most histone-modifying enzymes are highly expressed in the eggs or in the testis tissues of male adults. Several histone deacetylases and H3K4-specific methyltransferases exhibit differential expression patterns in brain tissues between solitarious and gregarious Locusts. These results reveal the main characteristics of histone-modifying enzymes and provide important cues for understanding the epigenetic mechanisms underlying phase polyphenism in Locusts.
Pengcheng Yang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Correction to: Core transcriptional signatures of phase change in the Migratory Locust.
Protein & cell, 2020Co-Authors: Pengcheng Yang, Xianhui Wang, Li Hou, Le KangAbstract:In the original publication the photo of the gregarious adult Locust in Fig. 1A is incorrect. The correct photo of adult Migratory Locust is provided in this correction.
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Core transcriptional signatures of phase change in the Migratory Locust
Protein & cell, 2019Co-Authors: Pengcheng Yang, Xianhui Wang, Li Hou, Le KangAbstract:Phenotypic plasticity plays fundamental roles in successful adaptation of animals in response to environmental variations. Here, to reveal the transcriptome reprogramming in Locust phase change, a typical phenotypic plasticity, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of multiple phase-related transcriptomic datasets of the Migratory Locust. We defined PhaseCore genes according to their contribution to phase differentiation by the adjustment for confounding principal components analysis algorithm (AC-PCA). Compared with other genes, PhaseCore genes predicted phase status with over 87.5% accuracy and displayed more unique gene attributes including the faster evolution rate, higher CpG content and higher specific expression level. Then, we identified 20 transcription factors (TFs) named PhaseCoreTF genes that are associated with the regulation of PhaseCore genes. Finally, we experimentally verified the regulatory roles of three representative TFs (Hr4, Hr46, and grh) in phase change by RNAi. Our findings revealed that core transcriptional signatures are involved in the global regulation of Locust phase changes, suggesting a potential common mechanism underlying phenotypic plasticity in insects. The expression and network data are accessible in an online resource called LocustMine (http://www.Locustmine.org:8080/Locustmine).
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characteristics and expression patterns of histone modifying enzyme systems in the Migratory Locust
Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2016Co-Authors: Siyuan Guo, Xianhui Wang, Pengcheng Yang, Feng Jiang, Qing Liu, Le KangAbstract:The density-dependent phase polyphenism in Locusts offers an excellent model to investigate the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms underlying phenotypic plasticity. In this study, we identified histone-modifying enzymes mediating histone post-translational modifications, which serve as a major regulatory mechanism of epigenetic processes, on the basis of the whole genome sequence of the Migratory Locust, Locusta migratoria. We confirmed the existence of various functional histone modifications in the Locusts. Compared with other sequenced insect genomes, the Locust genome contains a richer repertoire of histone-modifying enzymes. Several Locust histone-modifying enzymes display vertebrate-like characteristics, such as the presence of a Sirt3-like gene and multiple alternative splicing of GCN5 gene. Most histone-modifying enzymes are highly expressed in the eggs or in the testis tissues of male adults. Several histone deacetylases and H3K4-specific methyltransferases exhibit differential expression patterns in brain tissues between solitarious and gregarious Locusts. These results reveal the main characteristics of histone-modifying enzymes and provide important cues for understanding the epigenetic mechanisms underlying phase polyphenism in Locusts.
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Identification and functional analysis of olfactory receptor family reveal unusual characteristics of the olfactory system in the Migratory Locust
Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS, 2015Co-Authors: Zhifeng Wang, Xianhui Wang, Pengcheng Yang, Feng Jiang, Dafeng Chen, Le KangAbstract:Locusts represent the excellent model of insect olfaction because the animals are equipped with an unusual olfactory system and display remarkable density-dependent olfactory plasticity. However, information regarding receptor molecules involved in the olfactory perception of Locusts is very limited. On the basis of genome sequence and antennal transcriptome of the Migratory Locust, we conduct the identification and functional analysis of two olfactory receptor families: odorant receptors (ORs) and ionotropic receptors (IRs). In the Migratory Locust, there is an expansion of OR family (142 ORs) while distinctly lower number of IR genes (32 IRs) compared to the repertoires of other insects. The number of the Locust OR genes is much less than that of glomeruli in antennal lobe, challenging the general principle of the "one glomerulus-one receptor" observed in other insects. Most OR genes are found in tandem arrays, forming two large lineage-specific subfamilies in the phylogenetic tree. The "divergent IR" subfamily displays a significant contraction, and most of the IRs belong to the "antennal IR" subfamily in the Locust. Most ORs/IRs have olfactory-specific expression while some broadly- or internal-expressed members are also found. Differing from holometabolous insects, the Migratory Locust contains very similar expression profiles of ORs/IRs between nymph and adult stages. RNA interference and behavioral assays indicate that an OR-based signaling pathway, not IR-based, mediates the attraction of Locusts to aggregation pheromones. These discoveries provide insights into the unusual olfactory system of Locusts and enhance our understanding of the evolution of insect olfaction.
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molecular characterization and expression profiles of neuropeptide precursors in the Migratory Locust
Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2015Co-Authors: Li Hou, Xianhui Wang, Pengcheng Yang, Feng Jiang, Le KangAbstract:Neuropeptides serve as the most important regulatory signals in insects. Many neuropeptides and their precursors have been identified in terms of the contig sequences of whole genome information of the Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria), which exhibits a typical phenotypic plasticity in morphology, behavior and physiology. However, functions of these Locust neuropeptides are largely unknown. In this study, we first revised the 23 reported neuropeptide precursor genes and identified almost all the neuropeptide precursors and corresponding products in L. migratoria. We further revealed the significant expansion profiles (such as AKH) and alternative splicing of neuropeptide genes (Lom-ITP, Lom-OK and Lom-NPF1). Transcriptomic analysis indicated that several neuropeptides, such as Lom-ACP and Lom-OK, displayed development-specific expression patterns. qRT-PCR data confirmed that most neuropeptide precursors were strongly expressed in the central nervous system. Fifteen neuropeptide genes displayed different expression levels between solitarious and gregarious Locusts. These findings provide valuable clues to understand neuropeptide evolution and their functional roles in basic biology and phase transition in Locusts.
Jianzhen Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The wing-specific cuticular protein LmACP7 is essential for normal wing morphogenesis in the Migratory Locust.
Insect biochemistry and molecular biology, 2019Co-Authors: Xiaoming Zhao, Kun Yan Zhu, Gou Xin, Weimin Liu, Bernard Moussian, Jianzhen ZhangAbstract:Abstract Wings are an indispensable structure in many insects for their foraging, courtship, escape from predators, and migration. Cuticular proteins are major components of the insect cuticle and wings, but there is limited information on how cuticular proteins may play an essential role in wing morphogenesis. We identified a wing-specific cuticular protein, LmACP7, which belongs to the RR-2 subfamily of CPR chitin-binding proteins in the Migratory Locust. LmACP7 was initially produced in epidermal cells and subsequently migrated to the exocuticle at the pre-ecdysial stage in adult wings. Depletion of LmACP7 transcripts by RNA interference markedly reduced its protein amounts, which consequently led to abnormal wing morphogenesis. The deformed wings were curved, wrinkled, and failed to fully expand. We further demonstrated that the deformation was caused by both severe damage of the endocuticle and death of the epidermal cells in the wings. Based on these data, we propose that LmACP7 not only serves as an essential structural protein in the wing but is also required for the integrity of wing epithelial cells. LmACP7 contributes to production of the wing endocuticle and to the morphogenesis of functional wings in the Migratory Locust.
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transcriptome wide survey gene expression profiling and exogenous chemical induced transcriptional responses of cytochrome p450 superfamily genes in Migratory Locust Locusta migratoria
Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Xueyao Zhang, Jianzhen Zhang, Xiaolin Kang, Kristopher Silver, Kun Yan ZhuAbstract:Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs) belong to a large superfamily of heme-containing enzymes catalyzing at least 60 different types of chemically distinct reactions. Insect CYPs play key roles in biotransformation of insecticides and plant chemicals, and are implicated in insecticide resistance and insect adaptation to their host plants. Insect CYPs are well studied in model insects, but little is known about the CYP superfamily in paurometabolous insects. We employed Illumina sequencing technology to identify 71 partial and 78 full-length open reading frames (ORFs) of LmCYP genes from the Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria), one of the most destructive paurometabolous insect pests in the world. Seventy-eight LmCYPs with complete ORFs were formally named and classified into 19 families and 43 subfamilies. The majority of LmCYPs were mainly expressed in nymphal and adult stages, but LmCYP expression varied widely among thirteen different tissues examined. Regulatory elements were predicted in the promoter regions of LmCYP genes, and subsequent exposure of Locusts to 12 different exogenous chemicals showed that 2-tridecanone and xanthotoxin were the most effective at increasing LmCYP expression. Our results represent the first transcriptome-wide analysis of the LmCYP superfamily from Migratory Locust, and provide a foundation for understanding the physiological functions, functional diversity, evolution, and regulatory mechanisms controlling the expression of the CYP gene superfamily in the Locust.
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Molecular and Functional Characterization of cDNAs Putatively Encoding Carboxylesterases from the Migratory Locust, Locusta migratoria
2016Co-Authors: Jianqin Zhang, Yaping Guo, Kun Yan Zhu, Jianzhen ZhangAbstract:Carboxylesterases (CarEs) belong to a superfamily of metabolic enzymes encoded by a number of genes and are widely distributed in microbes, plants and animals including insects. These enzymes play important roles in detoxification of insecticides and other xenobiotics, degradation of pheromones, regulation of neurodevelopment, and control of animal development. In this study, we characterized a total of 39 full-length cDNAs putatively encoding different CarEs from the Migratory Locust, Locusta migratoria, one of the most severe insect pests in many regions of the world, and evaluated the role of four CarE genes in insecticide detoxification. Our phylogenetic analysis grouped the 39 CarEs into five differen
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miR-71 and miR-263 hinder molting of the Migratory Locust.
2016Co-Authors: Meiling Yang, Jianzhen Zhang, Yanli Wang, Feng Jiang, Tianqi Song, Huimin Wang, Qing Liu, Jie Zhang, Le KangAbstract:(A-D) The effects of 210 pmol agomir-71 or agomir-263 and antagomir-71 or antagomir-263 treatment on the mortality of Locusts were studied after injection. N, the number of animals treated. (E-H) The effects of 210 pmol agomir-71 or agomir-263 and antagomir-71 or antagomir-263 treatment on the molt phenotype of Locusts were studied after injection. The red arrow indicates the shedding old cuticle in the defective molting process. OC, old cuticle, NC, new cuticle. (I) Model of the miR-71- and miR-263-mediated chitin metabolism pathway associated with the molting of the Migratory Locust. miR-71 controls chitin production by regulating CHS1, and miR-263 controls chitin degradation by modulating CHT10 in the Locust integument.
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MicroRNA-dependent development revealed by RNA interference-mediated gene silencing of LmDicer1 in the Migratory Locust
Insect science, 2012Co-Authors: Yanli Wang, Jianzhen Zhang, Meiling Yang, Feng Jiang, Le KangAbstract:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs, which participate in many biological processes. The small RNA transcriptome in the Migratory Locust has been characterized and 50 conserved miRNA families and 185 potential Locust-specific miRNA family candidates have been identified using high-throughput sequencing. However, it is unclear whether miRNAs influence a wide variety of Locusts' biological processes, such as growth or development. In insects, Dicer1 ribonuclease transforms miRNA precursors into mature miRNAs. Thus, using systemic RNA interference (RNAi) to silence the expression of Dicer1 in the Migratory Locust, Locusta migratoria, we reduced miRNA contents in the Locust and disrupted two types of molt (nymph-nymph, and nymph-adult). The RNAi of LmDicer1 also resulted in a high mortality in L. migratora. Our study revealed that LmDicer1 was essential for miRNA regulation and development of L. migratoria .T hese results further support our notion that LmDicer1 could serve as an excellent target for developing novel strategies for controlling this important insect pest.
Li Hou - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Correction to: Core transcriptional signatures of phase change in the Migratory Locust.
Protein & cell, 2020Co-Authors: Pengcheng Yang, Xianhui Wang, Li Hou, Le KangAbstract:In the original publication the photo of the gregarious adult Locust in Fig. 1A is incorrect. The correct photo of adult Migratory Locust is provided in this correction.
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Core transcriptional signatures of phase change in the Migratory Locust
Protein & cell, 2019Co-Authors: Pengcheng Yang, Xianhui Wang, Li Hou, Le KangAbstract:Phenotypic plasticity plays fundamental roles in successful adaptation of animals in response to environmental variations. Here, to reveal the transcriptome reprogramming in Locust phase change, a typical phenotypic plasticity, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of multiple phase-related transcriptomic datasets of the Migratory Locust. We defined PhaseCore genes according to their contribution to phase differentiation by the adjustment for confounding principal components analysis algorithm (AC-PCA). Compared with other genes, PhaseCore genes predicted phase status with over 87.5% accuracy and displayed more unique gene attributes including the faster evolution rate, higher CpG content and higher specific expression level. Then, we identified 20 transcription factors (TFs) named PhaseCoreTF genes that are associated with the regulation of PhaseCore genes. Finally, we experimentally verified the regulatory roles of three representative TFs (Hr4, Hr46, and grh) in phase change by RNAi. Our findings revealed that core transcriptional signatures are involved in the global regulation of Locust phase changes, suggesting a potential common mechanism underlying phenotypic plasticity in insects. The expression and network data are accessible in an online resource called LocustMine (http://www.Locustmine.org:8080/Locustmine).
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molecular characterization and expression profiles of neuropeptide precursors in the Migratory Locust
Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2015Co-Authors: Li Hou, Xianhui Wang, Pengcheng Yang, Feng Jiang, Le KangAbstract:Neuropeptides serve as the most important regulatory signals in insects. Many neuropeptides and their precursors have been identified in terms of the contig sequences of whole genome information of the Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria), which exhibits a typical phenotypic plasticity in morphology, behavior and physiology. However, functions of these Locust neuropeptides are largely unknown. In this study, we first revised the 23 reported neuropeptide precursor genes and identified almost all the neuropeptide precursors and corresponding products in L. migratoria. We further revealed the significant expansion profiles (such as AKH) and alternative splicing of neuropeptide genes (Lom-ITP, Lom-OK and Lom-NPF1). Transcriptomic analysis indicated that several neuropeptides, such as Lom-ACP and Lom-OK, displayed development-specific expression patterns. qRT-PCR data confirmed that most neuropeptide precursors were strongly expressed in the central nervous system. Fifteen neuropeptide genes displayed different expression levels between solitarious and gregarious Locusts. These findings provide valuable clues to understand neuropeptide evolution and their functional roles in basic biology and phase transition in Locusts.