Article
Biology
Bjoern Trebels, Stefan Dippel, Brigitte Goetz, Maria Graebner, Carolin Hofmann, Florian Hofmann, Freya-Rebecca Schmid, Mara Uhl, Minh-Phung Vuong, Vanessa Weber, Joachim Schachtner
Summary: The study reveals that sensory neurons in the larval antennae of the red flour beetle are reused in the adult stage, while the structure of the antennal lobe undergoes transformation. The formation of adult glomeruli in the antennal lobe during mid-metamorphosis is a common feature among different insect species, although the role of Orco in development may vary.
Article
Microbiology
Ana Korsa, Lai Ka Lo, Shrey Gandhi, Corinna Bang, Joachim Kurtz
Summary: Recent studies have shown that the microbiome has a significant impact on many properties of an organism, and its composition can change under various conditions. In invertebrates, the presence of the gut microbiome has been found to be related to immune priming. This study found that the composition of the microbiome in red flour beetle changed following oral priming treatment with certain strains of bacteria, but there were no changes with injection priming treatment. This suggests that specific members of the microbiome may be involved in the oral priming response in the red flour beetle.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Patchara Sirasoonthorn, Katsumi Kamiya, Ken Miura
Summary: The study demonstrates the importance of adult-specific cuticular protein genes in the antifungal properties of insect cuticle, with their combined knockdown leading to compromised host defense. Using RNA interference technology, researchers found that these genes play a crucial role in constructing the cuticle of adult insects and contribute significantly to defending against pathogenic fungi.
JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chengjun Li, Wei Wu, Jing Tang, Fan Feng, Peng Chen, Bin Li
Summary: A study identified 883 miRNAs in Tribolium castaneum, with 102 miRNAs exhibiting stage-specific expression patterns. Knockdown of five differentially expressed miRNAs led to defects in metamorphosis and wing development. This study provides important insights into the roles of miRNAs in insect growth and development.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Soheila Fatehi, Michael Aikins, Thomas W. W. Philips, Susan Brown, Kun Yan Zhu, Erin D. D. Scully, Yoonseong Park
Summary: The study focuses on Tribolium castaneum, a model beetle, and its positive single-stranded RNA virus, Tribolium castaneum iflavirus (TcIV). It found that TcIV is prevalent among different laboratory cultures, strains, and the same strain maintained in different laboratories, as well as in the Tribolium cell line TcA. The study also supports transovarial transmissions and the virus' prevalence in the nervous system, offering an opportunity to study the interaction between the virus and the immune system in this model beetle species.
Article
Neurosciences
Bjoern Trebels, Stefan Dippel, Janet Anders, Clara Ernst, Brigitte Goetz, Tim Keyser, Karl Heinz Rexer, Ernst A. Wimmer, Joachim Schachtner
Summary: Previously, it was believed that the paired antennal lobes were the only primary processing centers for olfactory input in holometabolous insects. However, we have discovered that in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum, olfactory input from the palps is also processed separately at distinct neuronal centers. The antennal olfactory sensory neurons project into the antennal lobes, while the palps project into the paired glomerular lobes and the unpaired gnathal olfactory center.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Rahul Tripathi, Digvir S. Jayas, Fuji Jian, Vincent A. D. Hervet
Summary: The population dynamics of red flour beetles were found to vary significantly with different temperature and grain patch sizes, leading to differences in the number of adults and offspring at different temperatures and patch sizes.
JOURNAL OF STORED PRODUCTS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Janin Rosner, Johanne Tietmeyer, Hans Merzendorfer
Summary: The study focused on the potential functions of TcABCG and TcABCH genes in insecticide detoxification. Upregulation of some genes after insecticide treatment was found, but silencing these genes did not significantly increase susceptibility to insecticides, indicating an unspecific stress response rather than direct involvement in detoxification processes.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Heng Jiang, Nan Zhang, Huichen Ge, Jiaping Wei, Xin Xu, Xiangkun Meng, Kun Qian, Yang Zheng, Jianjun Wang
Summary: In this study, the researchers identified a gene called TcS6K1, which plays a crucial role in the reproduction of red flour beetles. They found that TcS6K1 regulates the production of eggs by affecting the FOXO/JH signaling pathway.
JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caihong Ji, Nan Zhang, Heng Jiang, Xiangkun Meng, Huichen Ge, Xuemei Yang, Xin Xu, Kun Qian, Yoonseong Park, Yang Zheng, Jianjun Wang
Summary: This study revealed that the expressions of MsrA and MsrB in the red flour beetle are influenced by various factors such as oxidative stress, heat, cold, and 20E, and are regulated by the transcription factor FOXO. The findings provide important insights into the transcriptional regulation of insect Msrs.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Kentarou Matsumura, Kyosuke Wakabayashi, Renya Kawakami, Takahisa Miyatake
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between reproductive traits and latitude in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. The results showed that there were significant differences in the reproductive traits of males but not females among field populations. Male reproductive traits exhibited latitudinal clines, while female reproductive traits were correlated with body size. The findings suggest that selection for male reproductive traits varies with latitude in T. castaneum.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kun Qian, Yi Yang, Changyin Zhou, Haoyu Zhang, Nan Zhang, Xiangkun Meng, Jianjun Wang
Summary: In this study, two putative sodium channel genes, TcNav1 and TcNav2, were cloned and characterized in Tribolium castaneum, encoding proteins with amino acid similarities to Drosophila para. Knockdown of TcNav1 and TcNav2 adversely affected adult emergence and decreased sensitivity to insecticides. These findings suggest that duplication of sodium channel genes in T. castaneum has led to diversified developmental and toxicological functions.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Kenji Shimomura, Hinoki Oikawa, Maaya Hasobe, Nobuhiro Suzuki, Shunsuke Yajima, Motohiro Tomizawa
Summary: Beetles are highly destructive pests of agriculture and stored products. Researchers have explored alternatives to pesticides for more sustainable pest management, focusing on insect transient receptor potential channels. The repellent activities of l-menthol and menthoxypropanediol for the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum are mediated by TcTRPM, suggesting that contact repellency may be more significant for repelling beetles than olfactory responses.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Amy M. Osborne, Samira Beyramysoltan, Rabi Ann Musah
Summary: Insect infestation poses a significant threat to global food security, and a new technique called Direct Analysis in Real Time-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry was used to differentiate infested and uninfested flour samples through statistical analysis. This technique identified specific compounds responsible for the infestation, potentially leading to a rapid method for testing flour and other grains for insect infestation.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Janin Roesner, Hans Merzendorfer
Summary: ABC transporters are suggested to play a role in insecticide detoxification, with specific TcABCA-C genes being upregulated in response to insecticide exposure. Inhibition of ABC transporters enhances the toxicity of certain insecticides, while silencing of specific TcABCC genes increases susceptibility to particular insecticides. These findings highlight the potential involvement of ABC transporters in detoxification processes in insects.
Article
Entomology
Xiao-Wen Song, Qi-Sheng Zhong, Yan-Hao Ji, Yue-Mei Zhang, Jing Tang, Fan Feng, Jing-Xiu Bi, Jia Xie, Bin Li
Summary: This study investigated the role of GSTS6 in Tribolium castaneum, revealing its significance in antioxidant defense by cooperating with other antioxidant genes and detoxifying insecticides. The findings shed light on the mechanism by which GSTS contributes to antioxidant activity and broaden our understanding of the functional diversity of GSTSs in insects.
Article
Entomology
Chengjun Li, Liu Yang, Youwei Wang, Huanyu Du, Jiangyan Zhang, Yaoyao Lu, Bin Li, Keping Chen
Summary: The zona pellucida domain protein Dusky (Dy) has been found to play a significant role in wing morphogenesis in insects by regulating cell size, metabolism, and gene expression. Dy controls 20-hydroxyecdysone and amino acid metabolism to ultimately impact wing growth and development in insects.
Article
Entomology
Han Gao, Yanxiao Li, Hui Zhang, Suisui Wang, Fan Feng, Jing Tang, Bin Li
Summary: This study identifies the diversity of neuropeptide systems and receptors in the bug Daktulosphaira vitifoliae. The differences in these systems compared to other insect orders provide a foundation for developing management strategies targeting this bug.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
KumChol Kim, XiaoWen Song, RunNan Yu, YongLei Zhang, Han Gao, SuiSui Wang, Bin Li
Summary: This study identified and cloned a novel GSTe2 from Tribolium castaneum, which plays an important role in insect metamorphosis in addition to detoxification of xenobiotic substances.
ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chengjun Li, Youwei Wang, Runting Ge, Ling Zhang, Huanyu Du, Jiangyan Zhang, Bin Li, Keping Chen
Summary: This study provides comprehensive information on the expression pattern and function of eIF6 in insects. eIF6 is highly expressed in eggs and early adults, with the highest expression in the gut of late-stage adults. Knockdown of eIF6 leads to precocious pupation and eclosion, impaired ovary and testis development, and complete repression of egg production. These findings highlight the importance of eIF6 in metamorphosis and reproduction.
INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Yonglei Zhang, Huayi Ai, Yihan Wang, Ping Zhang, Liheng Du, Jiatao Wang, Suisui Wang, Han Gao, Bin Li
Summary: Accumulating evidence suggests that pattern recognition receptor C-type lectins (CTLs) play important roles in pathogen recognition. This study focused on TcCTL14, a CTL protein found in Tribolium castaneum, and investigated its biological function. The results showed that TcCTL14 was highly expressed in late pupae and the central nervous system, and its expression increased after exposure to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. TcCTL14 was found to bind to lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan, and could agglutinate different bacteria in a calcium-dependent manner. Knockdown of TcCTL14 resulted in downregulation of Toll/IMD pathway transcription factors and antimicrobial peptides, as well as suppressed metamorphosis, reduced fecundity, and delayed embryogenesis of T. castaneum. Moreover, TcCTL14 was found to be involved in metamorphosis and fecundity through the 20-hydroxyecdysone and vitellogenin signaling pathways, respectively. These findings contribute to our understanding of PRR CTL function in insects and provide new insights for pest control strategies.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jan A. Veenstra
Summary: Among the nine genes related to insulin and insulin-like growth factor in the American cockroach, seven are expressed in the central nervous system. The cells in the pars intercerebralis show significant expression of five of these genes. Antisera testing confirms that these cells are neuroendocrine and project to the corpora cardiaca. In contrast to fruit flies, multiple cell types in cockroaches express different genes, indicating a more complex regulation by insulin and IGF-related peptides in cockroaches.
GENERAL AND COMPARATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jan A. A. Veenstra
Summary: Termites live in colonies, with different members having specific roles. In higher termites, the queen is fed only saliva from workers and can live for many years and lay thousands of eggs daily. While the composition of honeybee royal jelly is known, the composition of worker termite saliva in higher termites is largely unknown.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chengjun Li, Wei Wu, Jing Tang, Fan Feng, Peng Chen, Bin Li
Summary: A study identified 883 miRNAs in Tribolium castaneum, with 102 miRNAs exhibiting stage-specific expression patterns. Knockdown of five differentially expressed miRNAs led to defects in metamorphosis and wing development. This study provides important insights into the roles of miRNAs in insect growth and development.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jan A. Veenstra
Summary: In some insect species, the same genome can result in different final forms, a phenomenon called polyphenism. The role of insulin-like peptides (ilps) in growth, reproduction, and polyphenism regulation in termites is largely unknown. This study identified several ilps in termites and proposed hypotheses regarding their functions.
Article
Cell Biology
Suisui Wang, Huayi Ai, Yonglei Zhang, Jingxiu Bi, Han Gao, Peng Chen, Bin Li
Summary: TcCTL15 is a transmembrane C-type lectin X involved in immune defense, cell adhesion, and developmental regulation. It is highly expressed in different developmental stages and tissues of Tribolium castaneum. TcCTL15 can recognize bacteria through binding PAMPs and has agglutinating activity against certain bacteria in the presence of Ca2+.
Article
Cell Biology
Yingge Li, Xiaoya Zhou, Chen Cheng, Guangming Ding, Peng Zhao, Kai Tan, Lixia Chen, Norbert Perrimon, Jan A. Veenstra, Luoying Zhang, Wei Song
Summary: Severe sleep deprivation is associated with systemic energy wasting, and in this study, it was found that the gut-peptide hormone AstA plays an essential role in mediating this energy wasting. AstA promotes the release of the adipokinetic hormone Akh, which mobilizes systemic energy reserves. This regulation of energy metabolism by AstA was observed in both flies and mice, and the molecular mechanisms involved were also elucidated.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Runnan Yu, Wenjing Zhang, Yanxiao Li, Jing Tang, KumChol Kim, Bin Li
Summary: ALKBH4 plays a crucial role in epigenetic regulation in mammals by repairing alkyl lesions, but its function in insects is not well understood. In this study, the TcALKBH4 gene was cloned and characterized in Tribolium castaneum. The expression pattern of TcALKBH4 showed high expression in early embryos and early pupae, and in the adult testis and ovary. RNA interference targeting TcALKBH4 at different developmental stages resulted in distinct phenotypes, including developmental failure in larvae, reduced food intake, and fertility deficiency in adults. However, TcALKBH4 RNAi did not affect 6mA levels in vivo. qRT-PCR analysis suggested that TcALKBH4 may mediate larval development through the 20E signaling pathway, and the fertility of female and male adults may be regulated by vitellogenesis and JH signaling pathways, respectively. These findings provide new insights into the potential function of ALKBH4 in insects.
INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jingxiu Bi, Yutao Wang, Rui Gao, Pingxiang Liu, Yuying Jiang, Lei Gao, Bin Li, Qisheng Song, Mingxiao Ning
Summary: TcCTL16 plays a role in the developmental regulation of early larvae and the regulation of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expression in late larvae. Its deficiency leads to abnormal development and decreased expression of muscle-regulation-related genes. TcCTL16 is mainly distributed in the hemolymph and its expression is upregulated after bacterial challenges.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Sara Colizzi, Jan A. Veenstra, Gustavo L. Rezende, Charlotte Helfrich-Foerster, David Martinez-Torres
Summary: In this study, a PDF-coding gene that has undergone significant changes in an otherwise highly conserved insect was identified in the aphid species Acyrthosiphon pisum. The results suggest that PDF may play a critical role in aphid seasonal timing.