A small set of differentially expressed genes was associated with two color morphs in natural populations of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum

Zhang, Li; Wang, Mengyao; Li, Xiaopeng; Wang, Xiaotong; Jia, Chenglong; Yang, Xing-Zhuo; Feng, Run-Qiu; Yüan, Ming

doi:10.1016/j.gene.2018.01.079

Cited by 17 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…In Neurospora , the gene al‐2 , which is catalyzed by a bifunctional protein, mutated phytoene synthase, thus inducing albinism, and also mutated the cyclase domain, thus decreasing the reddish color . CdeB was suggested to produce a red carotenoid and the mutation of this gene inhibited the production of torulene, which indicates its involvement in body coloration in the red form of the pea aphid . However, in the present study, pET28a‐CdeB was expressed in E. coli and incubated with γ‐carotene in vitro , but no new substance was generated (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 51%

“…The coloration could be in response to various factors, such as environmental conditions, predation, and endosymbiosis, implying its important role in aphid adaptation. Carotenoids are one of the main factors regulating aphid coloration and the mutant of CdeB was suggested to associated with the transformation between red and green morphs . However, the expression profiles of these horizontally transferred carotenoid biosynthesis genes with different body color and how these genes influence carotenoids components to regulate the pigment formation and fitness of the aphids remain unclear.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Parental silencing of a horizontally transferred carotenoid desaturase gene causes a reduction of red pigment and fitness in the pea aphid

Ding

Niu

Shang

et al. 2020

Pest Management Science

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BACKGROUND: Aphids obtained carotenoid biosynthesis genes via horizontal gene transfers from fungi. However, the roles of these genes in the contributions of in aphids'adaptation and whether these genes could be used as RNAi-based pest control targets are not yet clear. Thus, in this study we used parental RNAi to analyze the potential function of a carotenoid desaturase gene (CdeB) by combined molecular and chemical approaches in the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum).RESULTS: Transcriptional analyses showed that CdeB was significantly more highly expressed in the red morphs compared to the green ones and was associated with the production of red carotenoid. Co-transferring of pET28a-CdeB (the CdeB gene was cloned into pET28a) and pACCRT-EIB (produced lycopene) showed a deep red color in the bacterial precipitate and produced more of a red pigment, lycopene, in vitro. Parental gene-silencing of CdeB resulted in a lower body color intensity in the treated aphids and following generations in vivo. Interestingly, the dsCdeB treatment also reduced aphid performance as reflected by a delay in nymphal developmental duration, lower weight, smaller number, and altered age structure of the population.CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that CdeB is involved in red color formation and the silencing of this gene by parental RNAi reduced fitness in the pea aphid. The results enhance our understanding of the biosynthesis of carotenoid in aphids and provide insights into the potential ecological significance of carotenoids in the adaptation of the aphid's biology to the environment and developing environmentally friendly control strategies for this pest. (Wang) † These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 51%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parental silencing of a horizontally transferred carotenoid desaturase gene causes a reduction of red pigment and fitness in the pea aphid

Ding

Niu

Shang

et al. 2020

Pest Management Science

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“…This aphid is characterized by red and green body color morphs associated with divergent ecological adaptation (Moran & Jarvik, 2010; Tsuchida et al, 2010; Tsuchida, 2016). Our field surveys have indicated a significant trend in which natural populations of the red morph expand from western to eastern China, with a substantial increase in population density in alfalfa fields, surpassing that of the green morph (Wu, 2011; Zhang & Yuan, 2017; Zhang et al, 2018). However, the mechanisms underlying the population expansion of the red pea aphid are largely unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…The pea aphid genome encodes abundant enzymes for the various carotenoids synthesis, and these enzymes ultimately contribute to the color polymorphism (Ding et al, 2020; Moran & Jarvik, 2010). Nine genes identified in the pea aphid genome have been associated with carotenoid biosynthesis and related metabolic pathways and are obtained through horizontal gene transfer from fungi (Ding et al, 2020; Moran & Jarvik, 2010; Valmalette et al, 2012; Zhang et al, 2018). These nine genes can be divided into two categories: five carotenoid synthase/cyclase genes (LOC100161104, LOC100574964, LOC100571777, LOC103308018, and LOC100159332) and four carotenoid desaturase genes (LOC100159050, tor , LOC100169110, and LOC100161380) (Ding et al, 2020; Moran & Jarvik, 2010; Zhang et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genome‐wide gene expression profiles of the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) under cold temperatures provide insights into body color variation

Zhang

Zheng

et al. 2021

Arch Insect Biochem Physiol

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Cold temperatures are one of the factors influencing color polymorphisms in Acyrthosiphon pisum, resulting in a change from a red to greenish color. Here we characterized gene expression profiles of A. pisum under different low temperatures (1°C, 4°C, 8°C, and 14°C) and durations (3, 6, 12, and 24 h). The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) increased as temperatures decreased and time increased, but only a small number of significant DEGs were identified. Genes involved in pigment metabolism were downregulated. An interaction network analysis for 506 common DEGs in comparisons among aphids exposed to 1°C for four durations indicated that a cytochrome P450 gene (CYP, LOC112935894) significantly downregulated may interact with a carotenoid metabolism gene (LOC100574964), similar to other genes encoding CYP, lycopene dehydrogenase and fatty acid synthase. We proposed that the body color shift in A. pisum responding to low temperatures may be regulated by CYPs.

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“…Orthologs encoding pigment pathway enzymes have also been identified in several insect orders aside from Dipterans. Among Hemiptera (true bugs), cuticle coloration has been functionally analyzed in three plant eating species: Oncopeltus fasciatus [6,7], Acyrthosiphon pisum [8] and Nilaparvata lugens [9]. However, the Hemiptera order also harbors a great number of blood feeding insects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pigmentation loci as markers for genome editing in the Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus

Berni

Bressan

Simão

et al. 2020

Preprint

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The kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus is a major vector for Chagas disease in the Americas, and also considered as the primary model for functional studies.Prospective transgenic approaches and genome editing strategies hold great promise for controlling insect populations as well as disease propagation. In this context, identifying visible genetic markers for transgenic methodologies is of paramount importance to advance the field. Here we have identified and analyzed the function of putative cuticle and eye color genes by investigating the effect of gene knockdown on fertility, viability, and the generation of visible phenotypes. Synthesis of the dark, yellow and tan pigments present in the cuticle of most insects depends on the function of key genes encoding enzymes in the tyrosine pathway. Knockdown of the R. prolixus yellow and aaNAT/pro orthologs produces striking alterations in cuticle color.Surprisingly, knockdown of ebony does not generate visible phenotypes. Since loss of ebony function results in a dark cuticle in several insect orders, we conclude that R. prolixus evolved alternative strategies for cuticle coloration, possibly including the loss of a pigmentation function for an entire branch of the tyrosine pathway. Knockdown of the scarlet and brown genes -encoding ABC transporters -alters cuticle and eye pigmentation, implying that the transport of pigment into proper organelles is an important process both for cuticle and eye coloration in this species. Therefore, this analysis identifies for the first time potential visible markers for transgenesis in a hemipteran vector for a debilitating human disease. Author SummaryThe hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus -also known as a kissing bug -is a main vector transmitting the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, a debilitating infection estimated to affect more than 6 million people in Central and South America. In order to limit disease spread, an important measure is insect vector control. However, kissing bugs -like other insects -develop resistance to insecticides.Alternative strategies based on transgenesis and the recently developed CRISPRbased genome edition hold great promise to control vector population or generate parasite-resistant insects. For these approaches to be feasible in R. prolixus, it is critical to identify visible phenotypic markers. Here we identify and describe several genes controlling cuticle and eye pigmentation that are well-suited putative landing sites for transformation strategies. Among these, loss-of-function mutations in the ABC transporter encoding scarlet and the tyrosine pathway enzyme encoding aaNAT/pro generate striking and easily visible phenotypes. Importantly, the knockdown of these genes does not affect insect viability and fertility under laboratory conditions. Our results suggest that R. prolixus has developed alternative strategies for cuticle coloration involving the loss of an entire branch of tanning loci, while the other branch producing cuticle patterns by generating non-pigmented a...

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A small set of differentially expressed genes was associated with two color morphs in natural populations of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum

Cited by 17 publications

References 77 publications

Parental silencing of a horizontally transferred carotenoid desaturase gene causes a reduction of red pigment and fitness in the pea aphid

Parental silencing of a horizontally transferred carotenoid desaturase gene causes a reduction of red pigment and fitness in the pea aphid

Genome‐wide gene expression profiles of the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) under cold temperatures provide insights into body color variation

Pigmentation loci as markers for genome editing in the Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus

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