Characterizing the Role of Orco Gene in Detecting Aggregation Pheromone and Food Resources in Protaetia brevitarsis Leiws (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

An accurate olfactory system for recognizing semiochemicals and environmental chemical signals plays crucial roles in survival and reproduction of insects. Among all olfaction-related proteins, olfactory receptors (ORs) contribute to the conversion of chemical stimuli to electric signals and thereby are vital in odorant recognition. Olfactory receptor co-receptor (Orco), one of the most conserved ORs, is extremely essential in recognizing odorants through forming a ligand-gated ion channel complex with conventional ligand-binding odorant receptors. We have previously identified aggregation pheromone in Protaetia brevitarsis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), a native agricultural and horticultural pest in East-Asia. However, to our best knowledge, its olfaction recognition mechanisms are still veiled. To illustrate how P. brevitarsis recognize aggregation pheromone and host plants, in the present study we cloned and sequenced the full-length Orco gene from P. brevitarsis antennae (named PbreOrco) and found that PbreOrco is highly conserved and similar to Orcos from other Coleoptera insects. Our real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) results showed that PbreOrco is mainly expressed in antenna. We also demonstrated that silencing PbreOrco using RNA interference through injecting dsOrco fragment significantly inhibited PbreOrco expression in comparison with injecting control dsGFP and subsequently revealed using electroantennogram and behavioral bioassays that decreasing PbreOrco transcript abundance significantly impaired the responses of P. brevitarsis to intraspecific aggregation pheromone and prolonged the time of P. brevitarsis spending on food seeking. Overall, our results demonstrated that PbreOrco is crucial in mediating odorant perception in P. brevitarsis.

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The role of SNMPs in insect olfaction

Cell and Tissue Research ◽

10.1007/s00441-020-03336-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sina Cassau ◽

Jürgen Krieger

Keyword(s):

Membrane Proteins ◽

Olfactory System ◽

Critical Role ◽

Olfactory Receptors ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Insect Olfaction ◽

Survival And Reproduction ◽

Odorant Binding ◽

Encoding Genes

AbstractThe sense of smell enables insects to recognize olfactory signals crucial for survival and reproduction. In insects, odorant detection highly depends on the interplay of distinct proteins expressed by specialized olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) and associated support cells which are housed together in chemosensory units, named sensilla, mainly located on the antenna. Besides odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and olfactory receptors, so-called sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs) are indicated to play a critical role in the detection of certain odorants. SNMPs are insect-specific membrane proteins initially identified in pheromone-sensitive OSNs of Lepidoptera and are indispensable for a proper detection of pheromones. In the last decades, genome and transcriptome analyses have revealed a wide distribution of SNMP-encoding genes in holometabolous and hemimetabolous insects, with a given species expressing multiple subtypes in distinct cells of the olfactory system. Besides SNMPs having a neuronal expression in subpopulations of OSNs, certain SNMP types were found expressed in OSN-associated support cells suggesting different decisive roles of SNMPs in the peripheral olfactory system. In this review, we will report the state of knowledge of neuronal and non-neuronal members of the SNMP family and discuss their possible functions in insect olfaction.

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Diversity in olfactory receptor repertoires is associated with dietary specialization in a genus of frugivorous bat

G3 Genes|Genome|Genetics ◽

10.1093/g3journal/jkab260 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Laurel R Yohe ◽

Leith B Leiser-Miller ◽

Zofia A Kaliszewska ◽

Paul Donat ◽

Sharlene E Santana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Duplication ◽

Receptor Gene ◽

Olfactory Receptors ◽

Sympatric Species ◽

Gene Repertoire ◽

Plant Resources ◽

Environmental Chemical ◽

Dietary Specialization ◽

Genes Encoding ◽

Repertoire Diversity

Abstract Mammalian olfactory receptors (ORs) are a diverse family of genes encoding proteins that directly interact with environmental chemical cues. ORs evolve via gene duplication in a birth-death fashion, neofunctionalizing and pseudogenizing over time. Olfaction is a primary sense used for food detection in plant-visiting bats, but the relationship between dietary specialization and OR repertoire diversity is unclear. Within neotropical Leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae), many lineages are plant specialists, and some have a distinct OR repertoire compared to insectivorous species. Yet, whether specialization on particular plant genera is associated with the evolution of specialized OR repertoires with narrower diversity has never been tested. Using targeted sequence capture, we sequenced the OR repertoires of three sympatric species of short-tailed fruit bats (Carollia), which vary in their degree of specialization on the fruits of Piper plants. We characterized orthologous versus duplicated receptors among Carollia species, and explored the diversity and redundancy of the receptor gene repertoire. At the species level, the most dedicated Piper specialist, Carollia castanea, had lower OR diversity compared to the two generalists (C. sowelli, C. perspicillata), but we discovered a few unique sets of ORs within C. castanea with high redundancy of similar gene duplicates. These unique receptors potentially enable C. castanea to detect Piper fruit odorants better than its two congeners. Carollia perspicillata, the species with the most generalist diet, had a higher diversity of intact receptors, suggesting the ability to detect a wider range of odorant molecules. Variation among ORs may be a factor in the coexistence of these sympatric species, facilitating the exploitation of different plant resources. Our study sheds light on how gene duplication and changes in OR diversity may play a role in dietary adaptations and underlies patterns of ecological interactions between bats and plants.

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EFFECTS OF ANTENNECTOMY AND A JUVENILE HORMONE ANALOG ON PHEROMONE PRODUCTION IN THE BOLL WEEVIL (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE)

Journal of Entomological Science ◽

10.18474/0749-8004-23.1.52 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 52-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

J. C. Dickens ◽

W. L. McGovern ◽

G. Wiygul

Keyword(s):

Juvenile Hormone ◽

Aggregation Pheromone ◽

Topical Application ◽

Olfactory Receptors ◽

Boll Weevil ◽

Anthonomus Grandis ◽

Pheromone Production ◽

Juvenile Hormone Analog ◽

Hormone Analog

Aggregation pheromone production by male boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman can be stimulated by both antennectomy and topical application of a juvenile hormone analog (JHA, methoprene). Since JHA decreases sensitivity of antennal olfactory receptors, its effects on pheromone production may possibly be by either stimulating release of some blood-borne factor or decreasing antennal input.

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PSX-A-9 Late-Breaking: Effects of farm noise on ileum intestinal barrier function of pullets

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.673 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 367-367

Author(s):

Chun Li ◽

Runxiang Zhang ◽

Hanlin Yu ◽

Yanru Feng ◽

Jianhong Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Barrier Function ◽

Intestinal Barrier ◽

Animal Husbandry ◽

Low Noise ◽

Intestinal Barrier Function ◽

Control Group ◽

Tissue Samples ◽

Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽

Junction Protein ◽

Related Proteins

Abstract Noise is a potential but not negligible environmental factor in animal husbandry. To investigate the effects of farm noise on intestinal barrier function of pullets, 336 Hailanhe pullets aged 1 day were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (CON), low noise group (LN), high noise group (HN). LN group and HN group were exposed to noise respectively at 65–75 dB and 85–95 dB, the average and the range of the highest loudness of noise in laying hens’ farms for 6h every day (7:00-19:00, hourly intervals for one hour) and lasted 4 weeks. Non additional noise addition in CON group, noise loudness of which was less than 40dB. 6 birds were randomly chosen form each group after every week of noise stimulation for ileum tissue samples. Hematoxylin-eosin stain (HE stain), immunofluorescence, and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to determine changes in ileum structure, expression of intestinal barrier related proteins and mRNAs and HSPs. Results shown that 1 week and 2 weeks after noise exposed inflammatory cell infiltration reduced, the expression of intestinal barrier related proteins (Occludin, Mucin2 and ZO-1) and mRNAs (Claudin-1, Claudin-4, E-cadherin, Occludin, Mucin2, ZO-1 and ZO-2) were significantly increased (P < 0.05), the mRNA expression of HSPs decreased (P < 0.05) or have no significate changes (P > 0.05). After 4 weeks of noise treatment, the expression of mRNAs of intestinal tight junction protein and mucin, HSPs were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). There was no difference between the LN and HN groups on those indicators (P > 0.05). The study indicates that noise at 65-75dB and 85-95dB does not cause stress to ileum of pullets while promote the development of intestinal barrier of chicks within 2 weeks maybe by mild stimulation and birds restored to balance due to habitualization after 4 weeks of noise treatment.

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Differential Expression of var Gene Groups Is Associated with Morbidity Caused by Plasmodium falciparum Infection in Tanzanian Children

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.02073-05 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 74 (7) ◽

pp. 3904-3911 ◽

Cited By ~ 135

Author(s):

Matthias Rottmann ◽

Thomas Lavstsen ◽

Joseph Paschal Mugasa ◽

Mirjam Kaestli ◽

Anja T. R. Jensen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Transcript Abundance ◽

Clinical Malaria ◽

Asymptomatic Malaria ◽

Abundance Pattern ◽

Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽

Clinical Presentations ◽

Group A ◽

Asymptomatic Infections ◽

Sequence Similarities

ABSTRACT The var gene family of Plasmodium falciparum encodes the variant surface antigen Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1). PfEMP1 is considered an important pathogenicity factor in P. falciparum infection because it mediates cytoadherence to host cell endothelial receptors. var genes can be grouped into three major groups, A, B, and C, and the conserved var genes, var1-4, according to sequence similarities in coding and noncoding upstream regions. Using real-time quantitative PCR in a study conducted in Tanzania, the var transcript abundances of the different var gene groups were compared among patients with severe, uncomplicated, and asymptomatic malaria. Transcripts of var group A and B genes were more abundant in patients with severe malaria than in patients with uncomplicated malaria. In general, the transcript abundances of var group A and B genes were higher for children with clinical malaria than for children with asymptomatic infections. The var group C and var1-like transcript abundances were similar between the three sample groups. A transcript abundance pattern similar to that for var group A was observed for var2csa and var3-like genes. These results suggest that substantial and systematic differences in var gene expression exist between different clinical presentations.

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FGF-induced LHX9 regulates the progression and metastasis of osteosarcoma via FRS2/TGF-β/β-catenin pathway

Cell Division ◽

10.1186/s13008-019-0056-6 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Shuang-Qing Li ◽

Chao Tu ◽

Lu Wan ◽

Rui-Qi Chen ◽

Zhi-Xi Duan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Factor ◽

Tumor Growth ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Transcriptional Level ◽

Invasion And Metastasis ◽

Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽

Tumor Growth Factor ◽

Tumor Growth And Metastasis ◽

Related Proteins

Abstract Background Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and tumor growth factor-β (TGFβ) have emerged as pivotal regulators during the progression of osteosarcoma (OS). LHX9 is one crucial transcription factor controlled by FGF, however, its function in OS has not been investigated yet. Methods The expression of LHX9, FRS2, BMP4, TGF-beta R1, SMAD2, beta-catenin and metastasis-related proteins was measured by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay were employed to determine the proliferation of OS cells, while scratch wound healing assay and transwell assay were used to evaluate their migration and invasion, respectively. In vivo tumor growth and metastasis were determined by subcutaneous or intravenous injection of OS cells into nude mice. Results LHX9 expression was evidently up-regulated in OS tumor tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of LHX9 impaired the proliferation, migration, invasion and metastasis of OS cells. Mechanistically, LHX9 silencing led to the down-regulation of BMP-4, β-catenin and metastasis-related proteins, which was also observed in beta-catenin knockdown OS cells. By contrast, FRS2 knockdown conduced to the up-regulation of LHX9, BMP4, β-catenin and TGF-βR1, while TGF-beta inhibition repressed the expression of LHX9 and metastasis-related proteins. Additionally, let-7c modulates LHX9 and metastasis-related proteins by suppressing TGF-beta R1 expression on transcriptional level. Conclusions This study revealed LHX9 was essential for the proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis of OS cells via FGF and TGF-β/β-catenin signaling pathways.

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OlfactionBase: a repository to explore odors, odorants, olfactory receptors and odorant–receptor interactions

Nucleic Acids Research ◽

10.1093/nar/gkab763 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anju Sharma ◽

Bishal Kumar Saha ◽

Rajnish Kumar ◽

Pritish Kumar Varadwaj

Keyword(s):

Odorant Receptor ◽

Olfactory Receptors ◽

Sequence Information ◽

Multi Stage ◽

Receptor Interactions ◽

Associated Proteins ◽

Stage Process ◽

User Friendly ◽

Related Proteins ◽

The Brain

Abstract Olfaction is a multi-stage process that initiates with the odorants entering the nose and terminates with the brain recognizing the odor associated with the odorant. In a very intricate way, the process incorporates various components functioning together and in synchronization. OlfactionBase is a free, open-access web server that aims to bring together knowledge about many aspects of the olfaction mechanism in one place. OlfactionBase contains detailed information of components like odors, odorants, and odorless compounds with physicochemical and ADMET properties, olfactory receptors (ORs), odorant- and pheromone binding proteins, OR-odorant interactions in Human and Mus musculus. The dynamic, user-friendly interface of the resource facilitates exploration of different entities: finding chemical compounds having desired odor, finding odorants associated with OR, associating chemical features with odor and OR, finding sequence information of ORs and related proteins. Finally, the data in OlfactionBase on odors, odorants, olfactory receptors, human and mouse OR-odorant pairs, and other associated proteins could aid in the inference and improved understanding of odor perception, which might provide new insights into the mechanism underlying olfaction. The OlfactionBase is available at https://bioserver.iiita.ac.in/olfactionbase/

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BSCI-16. Olfactory receptor 5B21 drives breast cancer metastasis

Neuro-Oncology Advances ◽

10.1093/noajnl/vdab071.015 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. iii4-iii4

Author(s):

Mao Li ◽

Markus Schweiger ◽

Ichiro Nakano ◽

Daniel Ryan ◽

Litia Carvalho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Metastasis ◽

Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Olfactory Receptors ◽

Transcript Abundance ◽

Breast Cancer Metastasis ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Invasion And Migration ◽

The Brain

Abstract Olfactory receptors (ORs), responsible for the sense of smell, play an essential role in physiological processes (even outside the nasal epithelium) and cancer. In breast cancer, however, the expression and role of ORs remain understudied. We examined the significance of ORs transcript abundance in breast cancer metastasis to different tissues including the brain, bone, and lung. While we found 20 OR genes to be differentially expressed in different metastasis versus primary tumor, OR5B21 displayed high relation with all metastases. Knockdown of OR5B21 significantly decreased the invasion and migration of breast cancer cells in culture as well as metastasis to different organs including the brain, in vivo. On the other hand, overexpression of OR5B21 in the primary cells had the opposite effect. Mechanistically, OR5B21 was associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition through STAT3/NFkB/CEBPβ signaling pathway. We propose OR5B21 (and potentially other ORs) as a novel oncogene contributing to breast cancer metastasis, and as a potential target for therapy.

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Downregulation of tumor‐derived exosomal miR-34c induces cancer‐associated fibroblast activation to promote cholangiocarcinoma progress

Cancer Cell International ◽

10.1186/s12935-020-01726-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xinglei Qin ◽

Min Lu ◽

Gang Li ◽

Yajun Zhou ◽

Zhaoyang Liu

Keyword(s):

Tumor Model ◽

Inflammatory Factors ◽

Fibroblast Activation ◽

Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽

Cancer Associated Fibroblast ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Diphenyl Tetrazolium Bromide ◽

And Migration ◽

Related Proteins ◽

Proliferation And Migration

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the exact regulatory mechanisms of exosomal miR-34c in mediating communication between cholangiocarcinoma cells and fibroblasts. Methods Exosomes were isolated from HuCCT-1 and HIBEC cells using differential ultracentrifugation and identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) method. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blotting analyses were performed to assess the levels of pro-inflammatory factors, and fibroblast-related proteins and Wnt-linked signaling pathway proteins, respectively. Exosome-tracking was performed with confocal microscopy. The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Transwell assays were used to measure cell proliferation and migration, respectively. Further, the oncogenicity of cholangiocarcinoma cells was analyzed in nude mice transplanted tumor model. Results The analysis suggested that the expression of miR-34c was decreased in exosomes from HuCCT-1 cells. Moreover, miR-34c in exosomes mediated fibroblast activation by directly targeting WNT1. Additionally, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) activated by downregulation of exosomal miR-34c promoted cholangiocarcinoma progression. Conclusions Thus, miR-34c in exosomes was found to be a key player in regulating intercellular communication between tumor cells and fibroblasts.

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