Diversity of melanin synthesis genes in insects

Futahashi, Ryo; Koshikawa, Shigeyuki; Okude, Genta; Osanai-Futahashi, Mizuko

doi:10.1016/bs.aiip.2022.03.003

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 161 publications

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“…These catecholamines are produced by tyrosine-mediated cuticle tanning metabolism, essentially contributing to the darkening and hardening insect cuticles. The melanin precursors (e.g., dopamine) are synthesized in epidermal cells, the resulting catecholamines are secreted into the cuticle, where they are further oxidized to melanin pigments [ 37 ]. Insect melanins are secreted into cuticles, and dark-colored melanins are predominantly derived from dopamine, whereas light-colored melanins are mostly derived from N-β-alanyldopamine (NBAD) and/or N-acetyldopamine (NADA) [ 38 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Roles of DNA Methylation in Color Alternation of Eastern Honey Bees (Apis cerana) Induced by the Royal Jelly of Western Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)

Abdelmawla,

Li,

Shi

et al. 2024

IJMS

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Honey bees have a very interesting phenomenon where the larval diets of two different honey bee species are exchanged, resulting in altered phenotypes, namely, a honey bee nutritional crossbreed. This is a classical epigenetic process, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the contribution of DNA methylation to the phenotypic alternation of a Apis mellifera–Apis cerana nutritional crossbreed. We used a full nutritional crossbreed technique to rear A. cerana queens by feeding their larvae with A. mellifera royal-jelly-based diets in an incubator. Subsequently, we compared genome-wide methylation sequencing, body color, GC ratio, and the DMRs between the nutritional crossbreed, A. cerana queens (NQs), and control, A. cerana queens (CQs). Our results showed that the NQ’s body color shifted to yellow compared to the black control queens. Genome methylation sequencing revealed that NQs had a much higher ratio of mCG than that of CQs. A total of 1020 DMGs were identified, of which 20 DMGs were enriched into key pathways for melanin synthesis, including tryptophan, tyrosine, dopamine, and phenylalanine KEGG pathways. Three key differentially methylated genes [OGDH, ALDH(NAD+) and ALDH7] showed a clear, altered DNA methylation in multiple CpG islands in NQs compared to CQs. Consequently, these findings revealed that DNA methylation participates in A. cerana–A. mellifera nutritional crossbreeding as an important epigenetic modification. This study serves as a model of cross-kingdom epigenetic mechanisms in insect body color induced by environmental factors.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Roles of DNA Methylation in Color Alternation of Eastern Honey Bees (Apis cerana) Induced by the Royal Jelly of Western Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)

Abdelmawla,

Li,

Shi

et al. 2024

IJMS

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“…These results indicate that RNAi is effective for functional gene analysis in S. madaranus. In this study, SmMCO2 was identified as a gene involved in the darkening of body color and the formation of a characteristic spotted pattern on the elytra of S. madaranus, as described in the coloration of other insects [55].…”

Section: Rnai Is Effective For Gene Silencing In S Madaranusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, the efficiency of RNAi is a critical factor in determining its utility as a model for gall-forming insects. To assess the efficacy of RNAi in S. madaranus, we knocked down the multicopper oxidase 2 (SmMCO2) gene, which is involved in cuticle melanization [55]. This gene was chosen because its knockdown results in a visible change in body color, making it easy to evaluate the efficacy of RNAi.…”

Section: Rnai Is Effective For Gene Silencing In S Madaranusmentioning

confidence: 99%

New Gall-Forming Insect Model, Smicronyx madaranus: Critical Stages for Gall Formation, Phylogeny, and Effectiveness of Gene Functional Analysis

Ushima,

Sugimoto,

Sano

et al. 2024

Insects

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The molecular mechanisms underlying insect gall formation remain unclear. A major reason for the inability to identify the responsible genes is that only a few systems can be experimentally validated in the laboratory. To overcome these problems, we established a new galling insect model, Smicronyx madaranus. Our manipulation experiments using nail polish sealing and insecticide treatment revealed an age-dependent change in gall formation by S. madaranus; adult females and larvae are responsible for gall induction and enlargement, respectively. Furthermore, it has been suggested that substances released during oviposition and larval feeding are involved in each process. Phylogenetic analysis showed that gall-forming weevils, including S. madaranus, belong to two distinct lineages that utilize different host plants. This may indicate that gall-forming traits evolved independently in these Smicronyx lineages. The efficacy of RNA interference (RNAi) in S. madaranus was confirmed by targeting the multicopper oxidase 2 gene. It is expected that the mechanisms of gall formation will be elucidated by a comprehensive functional analysis of candidate genes using RNAi and the S. madaranus galling system in the near future.

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“…However, functional analysis of the genes is necessary to prove causality, that they are responsible for the gall formation. To assess the efficacy of RNAi in S. madaranus, we knocked down the multicopper oxidase 2 (SmMCO2) gene, which is involved in cuticle melanization [53]. This gene was chosen because its knockdown results in a visible change in body color, making it easy to evaluate the efficacy of RNAi.…”

Section: Rnai Is Effective For Gene Silencing In S Madaranusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These results indicate that RNAi is effective for functional gene analysis in S. madaranus. In this study, SmMCO2 was identified as a gene involved in the darkening of body color and the formation of a characteristic spotted pattern on the elytra of S. madaranus as described in the coloration of other insects [53].…”

Section: Rnai Is Effective For Gene Silencing In S Madaranusmentioning

confidence: 99%

New Gall-Forming Insect Model, <em>Smicronyx madaranus</em>: Critical Stages for Gall Formation, Phylogeny, and Effectiveness of Gene Functional Analysis

Ushima,

Sugimoto,

Sano

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The molecular mechanisms underlying insect gall formation remain unclear. A major reason for the inability to identify the responsible genes is that most insect galls are produced on woody plants and therefore cannot be experimentally validated in the laboratory. To overcome these problems, we established a new galling insect model, Smicronyx madaranus. Our manipulation experiments using nail polish sealing and insecticide treatment revealed an age-dependent change in gall formation during S. madaranus; adult females and larvae are responsible for gall induction and enlargement, respectively. Furthermore, it has been suggested that substances released during oviposition and larval feeding are involved in each process. Phylogenetic analysis showed that most gall-forming weevils, including S. madaranus, belong to a single lineage, suggesting that gall-forming traits evolved in a specific lineage within Smicronyx. The efficacy of RNA interference (RNAi) in S. madaranus was confirmed by targeting multicopper oxidase 2 gene. It is expected that the mechanisms of gall formation will be elucidated by a comprehensive functional analysis of candidate genes using RNAi and the S.madaranus galling system in the near future.

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Diversity of melanin synthesis genes in insects

Cited by 6 publications

References 161 publications

Roles of DNA Methylation in Color Alternation of Eastern Honey Bees (Apis cerana) Induced by the Royal Jelly of Western Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)

Roles of DNA Methylation in Color Alternation of Eastern Honey Bees (Apis cerana) Induced by the Royal Jelly of Western Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)

New Gall-Forming Insect Model, Smicronyx madaranus: Critical Stages for Gall Formation, Phylogeny, and Effectiveness of Gene Functional Analysis

New Gall-Forming Insect Model, <em>Smicronyx madaranus</em>: Critical Stages for Gall Formation, Phylogeny, and Effectiveness of Gene Functional Analysis

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