Variation in sex determination mechanisms may constrain parthenogenesis-induction by endosymbionts in haplodiploid systems

Current Opinion in Insect Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 56, P. 101023 - 101023

Published: March 21, 2023

Endosymbionts are maternally transmitted, and therefore benefit from maximizing female offspring numbers. Parthenogenesis-induction (PI) is the most effective type of manipulation for transmission, but has solely been detected in haplodiploid species, whereas cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) frequently across arthropod phylum, including haplodiploids. This puzzling observation led us to hypothesize that molecular sex-determination mechanism host may be a constraining factor ability endosymbionts induce parthenogenesis. Recent insights indicate PI-endosymbionts able directly manipulate genes necessary steps required PI However, cascades vary extensively, so PI-induction would require specialized host-dependent tool set. Contrastingly, CI-related target conserved cell-cycle mechanisms, located on mobile elements, spread easily. Finally, endosymbiont-manipulations have strong impact effectiveness biocontrol agents, can also used enhance their efficacy.

Language: Английский

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Gene drive and genetic sex conversion in the global agricultural pest Ceratitis capitata

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 8, 2024

Homing-based gene drives are recently proposed interventions promising the area-wide, species-specific genetic control of harmful insect populations. Here we characterise a first set in tephritid agricultural pest species, Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (medfly). Our results show that medfly is highly amenable to homing-based drive strategies. By targeting transformer gene, also demonstrate how CRISPR-Cas9 can be coupled sex conversion, whereby females transformed into fertile and harmless XX males. Given this unique malleability determination, modelled couple conversion female sterility found such approaches could effective tolerant resistant allele selection target population. open door for developing strains population suppression related pests by co-targeting reproduction shifting reproductive ratio towards They untapped potential tackle an environmentally friendly economical way.

Language: Английский

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Wolbachia symbionts control sex in a parasitoid wasp using a horizontally acquired gene

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(11), P. 2359 - 2372.e9

Published: April 30, 2024

Host reproduction can be manipulated by bacterial symbionts in various ways. Parthenogenesis induction is the most effective type of manipulation for their transmission. Insect sex determined regulation doublesex (dsx) splicing through transformer2 (tra2) and transformer (tra) interaction. Although parthenogenesis has been studied since 1970s, its underlying molecular mechanism unknown. Here we identify a Wolbachia parthenogenesis-induction feminization factor gene (piff) that targets sex-determining genes causes female-producing haplodiploid parasitoid Encarsia formosa. We found elimination repressed expression female-specific dsx enhanced male-specific dsx, which led to production wasp haploid male offspring. Furthermore, E. formosa tra truncated non-functional, functional homolog, termed piff, with an insect origin. PIFF colocalize interact TRA2. Moreover, piff coordinated tra2 Our results demonstrate symbiont acquired manipulate host determination cascade induce wasps. This study reveals insect-to-bacteria horizontal transfer drives evolution animal systems, elucidating striking insect-microbe symbiosis.

Language: Английский

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The Early Sex-Specific Expression of the Fruitless Gene in the Asian Tiger Mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Its Functional Conservation in Male Courtship

Insects, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(3), P. 280 - 280

Published: March 7, 2025

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is an invasive species and a vector for several significant human pathogens. Gaining deeper understanding of its reproductive biology offers valuable insights into evolutionary success may inform the development sustainable strategies to control spread. This study presents comprehensive structural functional characterization fruitless gene in Ae. albopictus (Aalfru), pivotal regulator sexual behavior insects. Through silico analysis combined with molecular genetics approaches, we identified high degree conservation fru structure regulation via sex-specific alternative splicing. Differently from Drosophila, aegypti, other dipteran orthologs, Aalfru starts 1-day-old embryos, rather than late larval stage. Functional using embryonic RNA interference (RNAi) demonstrated that, males transiently disrupted expression at stage showed deficits adult mating failed produce viable progeny. Our findings elucidate gene’s organization, developmental regulation, critical role courtship behavior, highlighting importance male albopictus.

Language: Английский

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Identification and Functional Analysis of the fruitless Gene in a Hemimetabolous Insect, Nilaparvata lugens

Insects, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(4), P. 262 - 262

Published: April 11, 2024

The fruitless (fru) gene functions as a crucial “tuner” in male insect courtship behavior through distinct expression patterns. In Nilaparvata lugens, our previous research showed doublesex (dsx) influencing songs, causing mating failures with virgin females. However, the impact of fru on N. lugens remains unexplored. this study, homolog (Nlfru) yielded four spliceosomes: Nlfru-374-a/b, Nlfru-377, and Nlfru-433, encoding proteins 374aa, 377aa, 433aa, respectively. Notably, only Nlfru-374b exhibited bias, while others were non-sex-specific. All NlFRU featured BTB conserved domain, NlFRU-374 NlFRU-377 possessing ZnF domain different sequences. RNAi-mediated Nlfru or its isoforms’ knockdown nymph stages blocked wing-flapping males, embryonic via maternal RNAi resulted over 80% males losing ability, female receptivity was reduced. Nldsx-regulated, yet signals success unaffected. Remarkably, up-regulated flightin macropterous which regulated muscle stiffness delayed force response, suggesting Nlfru’s involvement development regulation. Collectively, results indicate that exhibit combination conservation species specificity, contributing insights into evolution, particularly Hemiptera species.

Language: Английский

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Conservation of symmetry breaking at the level of chromatin accessibility between fly species with unrelated anterior determinants

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 14, 2025

Establishing the anterior-posterior body axis is a fundamental process during embryogenesis, and fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster , provides one of best-known case studies this process. In Drosophila, localized mRNA bicoid serves as anterior determinant (AD). Bicoid engages in concentration-dependent competition with nucleosomes initiates symmetry-breaking along AP by promoting chromatin accessibility at loci transcription factor (TF) genes that are expressed embryo. However, ADs other fly species unrelated structurally distinct, little known about how they function. We addressed question moth Clogmia albipunctata which maternally transcript isoform pair-rule segmentation gene odd-paired egg has been co-opted AD. provide de novo assembly annotation genome describe knockdown zelda maternal affect expression TF-encoding loci. The results these experiments suggest direct roles Cal-Zld opening closing nuclear cleavage cycles show Clogmia's activity promotes early phase zygotic activation homeobrain sloppy-paired conclude dipteran initiate axis-specification level enhancer homologs may serve more widely conserved role initiation pattern formation given their function head development insects.

Language: Английский

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Functions of the transcription factor myb-like in sex determination and differentiation in Portunus trituberculatus

Aquaculture, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 742173 - 742173

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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The transformer gene controls sexual development in Drosophila suzukii

Insect Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 30, 2025

Abstract The genetic network of sex determination in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster was investigated great detail. Such knowledge not only advances our understanding evolution and regulation sexual dimorphism insects, but also serves as a basis for developing control strategies pest species. In this study, we isolated gene transformer ( Dstra ) from global fruit pest, spotted‐wing suzukii ), characterized its organization. By comparing deduced protein sequence with orthologs 22 species, found that tra genes Dipteran species are divergent. Our research demonstrated undergoes sex‐specific splicing, validated developmental expression profile. We engineered piggyBac‐ based transformation vector expressing complete coding under Tetracycline‐Off system. Through germ‐line transformation, generated 4 independent transgenic lines, producing pseudo‐females chromosomal males absence tetracycline. This observation indicated ectopic , confirmed by detection female transcripts males. exhibited altered wing patterns, feminized abdomen, abnormal reproductive organs, disrupted behavior. Ectopic affected splicing pattern downstream fruitless doublesex . conclusion, study provides comprehensive genetic, morphological, behavioral evidence controls development D. discuss potential applications targeting or using elements.

Language: Английский

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Tracing the Roots of Molecular Biology

Resonance, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 30(3), P. 379 - 409

Published: April 3, 2025

Language: Английский

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Genetic engineering for SIT application: a fruit fly‐focused review

Insect Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 7, 2025

Abstract Sterile insect technique (SIT) has become a key component of efficient pest control. Fruit fly pests from the Drosophilidae and Tephritidae families pose substantial overwhelmingly increasing threat to agricultural industry, aggravated by climate change globalization among other contributors. In this review, we discuss advances in genetic engineering aimed improve SIT‐mediated fruit This includes SIT enhancement strategies such as novel sexing strain female lethality approaches. Self‐pervasive X‐shredding X‐poisoning sex distorters, alongside gene drive varieties are also reviewed. The self‐limiting precision‐guided SIT, which aims tackle removal male fertility via CRISPR/Cas9, is additionally introduced. By using examples existing tools interest, well model species, illustrate that population control intensity may be modulated depending on strategy selection.

Language: Английский

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