scholarly journals Expansion of the fatty acyl reductase gene family shaped pheromone communication in Hymenoptera

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Tupec ◽  
Aleš Buček ◽  
Václav Janoušek ◽  
Heiko Vogel ◽  
Darina Prchalová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Family ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Gene Tree ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Fatty Acyl ◽  
Pheromone Biosynthesis ◽  
Bumble Bee ◽  
Pheromone Communication ◽  
Genomic Environment ◽  
Species Specific

Fatty acyl reductases (FARs) are involved in the biosynthesis of fatty alcohols that serve a range of biological roles. Insects typically harbor numerous FAR gene family members. While some FARs are involved in pheromone biosynthesis, the biological significance of the large number of FARs in insect genomes remains unclear.Using bumble bee (Bombini) FAR expression analysis and functional characterization, hymenopteran FAR gene tree reconstruction, and inspection of transposable elements (TEs) in the genomic environment of FARs, we uncovered a massive expansion of the FAR gene family in Hymenoptera, presumably facilitated by TEs. The expansion occurred in the common ancestor of bumble bees and stingless bees (Meliponini). We found that bumble bee FARs from the expanded FAR-A ortholog group contribute to the species-specific pheromone composition. Our results indicate that expansion and functional diversification of the FAR gene family played a key role in the evolution of pheromone communication in Hymenoptera.

scholarly journals Expansion of the fatty acyl reductase gene family shaped pheromone communication in Hymenoptera

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Tupec ◽  
Aleš Buček ◽  
Heiko Vogel ◽  
Václav Janoušek ◽  
Darina Prchalová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Gene Family ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Acid Methyl Ester ◽  
Fatty Acyl ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Pheromone Communication ◽  
Marking Pheromone ◽  
Fatty Acyl Reductase

AbstractThe conserved fatty acyl reductase (FAR) family is involved in biosynthesis of fatty alcohols that serve a range of biological roles. In moths, butterflies (Lepidoptera), and bees (Hymenoptera), FARs biosynthesize fatty alcohol pheromones participating in mate-finding strategies. Using a combination of next-generation sequencing, analysis of transposable elements (TE) in the genomic environment of FAR genes, and functional characterization of FARs from Bombus lucorum, B. lapidarius, and B. terrestris, we uncovered a massive expansion of the FAR gene family in Hymenoptera, presumably facilitated by TEs. Expansion occurred in the common ancestor of bumblebees (Bombini) and stingless bees (Meliponini) after their divergence from the honeybee lineage. We found that FARs from the expanded FAR-A orthology group contributed to the species-specific male marking pheromone composition. Our results indicate that TE-mediated expansion and functional diversification of the FAR gene family played a key role in the evolution of pheromone communication in the crown group of Hymenoptera.AbbreviationsMMP: male marking pheromone, FA: fatty acid, FAME: fatty acid methyl ester, FAR: fatty acyl reductase, LG: labial gland, FB: fat body, TE: transposable element.

scholarly journals Author response: Expansion of the fatty acyl reductase gene family shaped pheromone communication in Hymenoptera

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Tupec ◽  
Aleš Buček ◽  
Václav Janoušek ◽  
Heiko Vogel ◽  
Darina Prchalová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Family ◽  
Fatty Acyl ◽  
Author Response ◽  
Pheromone Communication ◽  
Reductase Gene ◽  
Fatty Acyl Reductase

Evolution of the Integral Membrane Desaturase Gene Family in Moths and Flies

Genetics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 162 (4) ◽  
pp. 1737-1752
Author(s):  
Douglas C Knipple ◽  
Claire-Lise Rosenfield ◽  
Rasmus Nielsen ◽  
Kyung Man You ◽  
Seong Eun Jeong
Keyword(s):  
Gene Family ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Mate Recognition ◽  
Synonymous Substitution ◽  
Recognition System ◽  
Pheromone Biosynthesis ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Genome Database ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Pheromone Glands

Abstract Lepidopteran insects use sex pheromones derived from fatty acids in their species-specific mate recognition system. Desaturases play a particularly prominent role in the generation of structural diversity in lepidopteran pheromone biosynthesis as a result of the diverse enzymatic properties they have evolved. These enzymes are homologous to the integral membrane desaturases, which play a primary role in cold adaptation in eukaryotic cells. In this investigation, we screened for desaturase-encoding sequences in pheromone glands of adult females of eight lepidopteran species. We found, on average, six unique desaturase-encoding sequences in moth pheromone glands, the same number as is found in the genome database of the fly, Drosophila melanogaster, vs. only one to three in other characterized eukaryotic genomes. The latter observation suggests the expansion of this gene family in insects before the divergence of lepidopteran and dipteran lineages. We present the inferred homology relationships among these sequences, analyze nonsynonymous and synonymous substitution rates for evidence of positive selection, identify sequence and structural correlates of three lineages containing characterized enzymatically distinct desaturases, and discuss the evolution of this sequence family in insects.

Microstructural morphology of sphingolipid dispersions as investigated by freeze-fracture EM

1995 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 944-945
Author(s):  
Vitthal S. Kulkarni ◽  
Wayne H. Anderson ◽  
Rhoderick E. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Acyl Chain ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Fatty Acyl ◽  
Fatty Acyl Moiety ◽  
Aqueous Dispersions ◽  
Head Groups ◽  
Lipid Species ◽  
Microstructural Morphology ◽  
Layer Chromatography

The biological significance of the sphingomyelins (SM) and monoglycosylated sphingolipids like galactosylceramides (GalCer) are well documented Our recent investigation showed tubular bilayers in the aqueous dispersions of N-nervonoyl GalCer [N-(24:lΔ15,cls) GalCer] (a major fatty acyl moiety of natural GalCer). To determine the influence of lipid head groups on the resulting mesophasic morphology, we investigated microstructural self-assemblies of N-nervonoyl-SM [N-(24:1 Δ15,cls) SM; the second most abundant sphingomyelin in mammalian cell membranes], 1- palmitoyl-2-nervonoyl phosphatidylcholine [PNPC] (the lipid species with the same acyl chain configuration as in N-(24: 1) GalCer) and also compared it with egg-SM by freeze-fracture EM.Procedures for synthesizing and purifying N-(24:1) GalCer, N-(24:1) SM, and PNPC have been reported . Egg-SM was purchased from Avanti Polar Lipids, Alabaster AL. All lipids were >99% pure as checked by thin layer chromatography. Lipid dispersions were prepared by hydrating dry lipid with phosphate buffer (pH 6.6) at 80-90°C (3-5 min), vigorously vortexing (1 min) and repeating this procedure for three times prior to three freeze-thaw cycles.

Novel Toxin-antitoxin System Xn-mazEF from Xenorhabdus nematophi-la: Identification, Characterization and Functional Exploration

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jogendra Singh Nim ◽  
Mohit Yadav ◽  
Lalit Kumar Gautam ◽  
Chaitali Ghosh ◽  
Shakti Sahi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interaction Analysis ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
System Control ◽  
Xenorhabdus Nematophila ◽  
Functional Features ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Rna Interaction

Background: Xenorhabdus nematophila maintains species-specific mutual interaction with nematodes of Steinernema genus. Type II Toxin Antitoxin (TA) systems, the mazEF TA system controls stress and programmed cell death in bacteria. Objective: This study elucidates the functional characterization of Xn-mazEF, a mazEF homolog in X. nematophila by computational and in vitro approaches. Methods: 3 D- structural models for Xn-MazE toxin and Xn-MazF antitoxin were generated, validated and characterized for protein - RNA interaction analysis. Further biological and cellular functions of Xn-MazF toxin were also predicted. Molecular dynamics simulations of 50ns for Xn-MazF toxin complexed with nucleic acid units (DU, RU, RC, and RU) were performed. The MazF toxin and complete MazEF operon were endogenously expressed and monitored for the killing of Escherichia coli host cells under arabinose induced tightly regulated system. Results: Upon induction, E. coli expressing toxin showed rapid killing within four hours and attained up to 65% growth inhibition, while the expression of the entire operon did not show significant killing. The observation suggests that the Xn-mazEF TA system control transcriptional regulation in X. nematophila and helps to manage stress or cause toxicity leading to programmed death of cells. Conclusion: The study provides insights into structural and functional features of novel toxin, XnMazF and provides an initial inference on control of X. nematophila growth regulated by TA systems.

scholarly journals Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of the AIG Family in Vertebrates

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1190
Author(s):  
Yuqi Huang ◽  
Minghao Sun ◽  
Lenan Zhuang ◽  
Jin He
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Gene Family ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Vertebrate Evolution ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Whole Genome Duplications ◽  
Genome Duplications ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Duplication Events ◽  
Inducible Genes

Androgen-inducible genes (AIGs), which can be regulated by androgen level, constitute a group of genes characterized by the presence of the AIG/FAR-17a domain in its protein sequence. Previous studies on AIGs demonstrated that one member of the gene family, AIG1, is involved in many biological processes in cancer cell lines and that ADTRP is associated with cardiovascular diseases. It has been shown that the numbers of AIG paralogs in humans, mice, and zebrafish are 2, 2, and 3, respectively, indicating possible gene duplication events during vertebrate evolution. Therefore, classifying subgroups of AIGs and identifying the homologs of each AIG member are important to characterize this novel gene family further. In this study, vertebrate AIGs were phylogenetically grouped into three major clades, ADTRP, AIG1, and AIG-L, with AIG-L also evident in an outgroup consisting of invertebrsate species. In this case, AIG-L, as the ancestral AIG, gave rise to ADTRP and AIG1 after two rounds of whole-genome duplications during vertebrate evolution. Then, the AIG family, which was exposed to purifying forces during evolution, lost or gained some of its members in some species. For example, in eutherians, Neognathae, and Percomorphaceae, AIG-L was lost; in contrast, Salmonidae and Cyprinidae acquired additional AIG copies. In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of vertebrate AIGs, which can be employed for future functional characterization of AIGs.

scholarly journals Expansion and accelerated evolution of 9-exon odorant receptors in Polistes paper wasps

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew W Legan ◽  
Christopher M Jernigan ◽  
Sara E Miller ◽  
Matthieu F Fuchs ◽  
Michael J Sheehan
Keyword(s):  
Gene Family ◽  
Odorant Receptor ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Gene Tree ◽  
Gene Family Evolution ◽  
Paper Wasp ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
Evolutionary Divergence ◽  
Wasp Species ◽  
Or Gene

Abstract Independent origins of sociality in bees and ants are associated with independent expansions of particular odorant receptor (OR) gene subfamilies. In ants, one clade within the OR gene family, the 9-exon subfamily, has dramatically expanded. These receptors detect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), key social signaling molecules in insects. It is unclear to what extent 9-exon OR subfamily expansion is associated with the independent evolution of sociality across Hymenoptera, warranting studies of taxa with independently derived social behavior. Here we describe odorant receptor gene family evolution in the northern paper wasp, Polistes fuscatus, and compare it to four additional paper wasp species spanning ∼40 million years of evolutionary divergence. We find 200 putatively functional OR genes in P. fuscatus, matching predictions from neuroanatomy, and more than half of these are in the 9-exon subfamily. Most OR gene expansions are tandemly arrayed at orthologous loci in Polistes genomes, and microsynteny analysis shows species-specific gain and loss of 9-exon ORs within tandem arrays. There is evidence of episodic positive diversifying selection shaping ORs in expanded subfamilies. Values of omega (d  N/dS) are higher among 9-exon ORs compared to other OR subfamilies. Within the Polistes OR gene tree, branches in the 9-exon OR clade experience relaxed negative (purifying) selection relative to other branches in the tree. Patterns of OR evolution within Polistes are consistent with 9-exon OR function in CHC perception by combinatorial coding, with both natural selection and neutral drift contributing to interspecies differences in gene copy number and sequence.

scholarly journals Genome-Wide Analysis of Terpene Synthase Gene Family in Mentha longifolia and Catalytic Activity Analysis of a Single Terpene Synthase

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 518
Author(s):  
Zequn Chen ◽  
Xiwu Qi ◽  
Xu Yu ◽  
Ying Zheng ◽  
Zhiqi Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Catalytic Activity ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Gene Family ◽  
Genome Sequence ◽  
Sequence Assembly ◽  
Terpene Synthase ◽  
Genome Sequence Assembly ◽  
Mentha Longifolia ◽  
Specific Expansion ◽  
Species Specific

Terpenoids are a wide variety of natural products and terpene synthase (TPS) plays a key role in the biosynthesis of terpenoids. Mentha plants are rich in essential oils, whose main components are terpenoids, and their biosynthetic pathways have been basically elucidated. However, there is a lack of systematic identification and study of TPS in Mentha plants. In this work, we genome-widely identified and analyzed the TPS gene family in Mentha longifolia, a model plant for functional genomic research in the genus Mentha. A total of 63 TPS genes were identified in the M. longifolia genome sequence assembly, which could be divided into six subfamilies. The TPS-b subfamily had the largest number of genes, which might be related to the abundant monoterpenoids in Mentha plants. The TPS-e subfamily had 18 members and showed a significant species-specific expansion compared with other sequenced Lamiaceae plant species. The 63 TPS genes could be mapped to nine scaffolds of the M. longifolia genome sequence assembly and the distribution of these genes is uneven. Tandem duplicates and fragment duplicates contributed greatly to the increase in the number of TPS genes in M. longifolia. The conserved motifs (RR(X)8W, NSE/DTE, RXR, and DDXXD) were analyzed in M. longifolia TPSs, and significant differentiation was found between different subfamilies. Adaptive evolution analysis showed that M. longifolia TPSs were subjected to purifying selection after the species-specific expansion, and some amino acid residues under positive selection were identified. Furthermore, we also cloned and analyzed the catalytic activity of a single terpene synthase, MlongTPS29, which belongs to the TPS-b subfamily. MlongTPS29 could encode a limonene synthase and catalyze the biosynthesis of limonene, an important precursor of essential oils from the genus Mentha. This study provides useful information for the biosynthesis of terpenoids in the genus Mentha.

scholarly journals Carotenoid Cleavage Dioxygenases: Identification, Expression, and Evolutionary Analysis of This Gene Family in Tobacco

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (22) ◽  
pp. 5796
Author(s):  
Qianqian Zhou ◽  
Qingchang Li ◽  
Peng Li ◽  
Songtao Zhang ◽  
Che Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Family ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Hormone Treatment ◽  
Nicotiana Sylvestris ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Evolutionary Analysis ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Carotenoid Cleavage Dioxygenases

Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs) selectively catalyze carotenoids, forming smaller apocarotenoids that are essential for the synthesis of apocarotenoid flavor, aroma volatiles, and phytohormone ABA/SLs, as well as responses to abiotic stresses. Here, 19, 11, and 10 CCD genes were identified in Nicotiana tabacum, Nicotiana tomentosiformis, and Nicotiana sylvestris, respectively. For this family, we systematically analyzed phylogeny, gene structure, conserved motifs, gene duplications, cis-elements, subcellular and chromosomal localization, miRNA-target sites, expression patterns with different treatments, and molecular evolution. CCD genes were classified into two subfamilies and nine groups. Gene structures, motifs, and tertiary structures showed similarities within the same groups. Subcellular localization analysis predicted that CCD family genes are cytoplasmic and plastid-localized, which was confirmed experimentally. Evolutionary analysis showed that purifying selection dominated the evolution of these genes. Meanwhile, seven positive sites were identified on the ancestor branch of the tobacco CCD subfamily. Cis-regulatory elements of the CCD promoters were mainly involved in light-responsiveness, hormone treatment, and physiological stress. Different CCD family genes were predominantly expressed separately in roots, flowers, seeds, and leaves and exhibited divergent expression patterns with different hormones (ABA, MeJA, IAA, SA) and abiotic (drought, cold, heat) stresses. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the NtCCD gene family and a foundation for future functional characterization of individual genes.

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