斜纹夜蛾中肠糖代谢相关基因的克隆及表达模式分析

斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura是一种世界性分布的重要农业害虫, 在生长发育过程中要经历幼虫 蛹的变态发育过程。由于变态发育前后昆虫的食性发生了明显的改变, 作为食物消化吸收的中肠也发生了解体和重建。与此相适应, 昆虫中肠的各种物质和能量代谢也可能会相应地发生改变。为研究斜纹夜蛾中肠变态发育过程中糖代谢途径的变化情况, 我们从斜纹夜蛾中肠EST文库中鉴定出了12个糖代谢相关基因, 克隆了其中3个基因的全长cDNA, 并应用半定量PCR和定量PCR的方法检测了其在幼虫 蛹变态发育期中肠组织的转录表达以及对激素和饥饿等因素的响应情况。结果表明： 这3个基因（α-L-岩藻糖苷酶、 N-乙酰葡萄糖胺-6-磷酸去乙酰酶和烯醇化酶基因）的开放阅读框分别为1 461, 1 200和1 299 bp, 预测的分子量分别为56.3, 43.3和46.7 kDa。这12个糖代谢相关的基因在变态发育期的中肠组织中具有5种不同的mRNA表达模式： （Ⅰ）只在幼虫期高表达（唾液麦芽糖酶前体蛋白、 糖基水解酶31家族成员蛋白、 线粒体乙醛脱氢酶、 β-1,3 葡聚糖酶基因）; （Ⅱ）只在预蛹期高表达（β-葡萄糖醛酸酶、 β-N-酰基氨基葡萄糖苷酶3基因）; （Ⅲ）只在蛹期高表达（葡萄糖胺-6-磷酸异构酶基因）; （Ⅳ）在预蛹期和蛹期高表达（α-葡萄糖苷酶、 α-淀粉酶、 N-乙酰葡糖胺 6 磷酸脱乙酰酶和α-L-岩藻糖苷酶基因）; （Ⅴ）在变态发育期恒定表达（烯醇化酶基因）。这说明, 为适应变态发育斜纹夜蛾中肠糖代谢途径发生了明显的改变。保幼激素对这些基因的表达没有明显的影响, 但蜕皮激素对Ⅰ类基因（如糖基水解酶31家族成员蛋白基因）具有一定的抑制作用, 对Ⅲ类基因（如葡萄糖胺-6-磷酸异构酶基因）有显著的上调作用。此外, 我们还发现饥饿对几乎所有这些基因的表达都有显著的抑制作用。这些结果说明, 昆虫中肠变态发育过程中糖代谢相关基因的动态变化可能受到蜕皮激素以及饥饿相关因素的共同调控。这一研究对从代谢角度揭示昆虫变态发育的分子机理具有重要意义。     

四种鳞翅目害虫精氨酸激酶基因的表达谱及基于RNAi的功能分析

【目的】精氨酸激酶(arginine kinase, AK)(EC 2.7.3.3)是昆虫体内重要的磷酸原激酶(能量代谢调节因子),也是唯一能够形成有效ATP的磷酰基供体,起着与脊椎动物中肌酸激酶相同的作用。本研究旨在了解鳞翅目害虫AK基因的表达和功能。【方法】利用qRT-PCR方法测定AK基因在大螟Sesamia inferens、二化螟Chilo suppressalis、甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua和斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura 这4种鳞翅目害虫不同发育阶段和3龄幼虫不同组织中的表达谱;通过终点法检测了这4种害虫不同发育阶段和幼虫不同组织中的AK酶活性;采用RNAi技术抑制该基因的表达并分析其功能。【结果】AK基因在大螟、二化螟、甜菜夜蛾和斜纹夜蛾这4种鳞翅目昆虫的不同发育阶段和3龄幼虫不同组织中均有表达,说明该基因的表达不具有发育时期和组织特异性。不同发育时期和3龄幼虫不同组织中AK酶活性与基因表达量变化趋势大体一致。注射以AK基因为靶标的dsRNA 6 d后,4种害虫体内AK基因的mRNA表达下降30%~50%,AK酶活性降低30%左右;14 d后幼虫的死亡率达50%左右,显著高于对照组幼虫的死亡率。【结论】AK基因在上述4种鳞翅目害虫中为组成型表达,RNAi抑制AK基因的表达可导致4种害虫的幼虫死亡,研究结果为开发以AK基因为靶标的鳞翅目害虫防治新技术提供了理论依据。     

斜纹夜蛾线粒体复合物ⅢFe-S蛋白基因克隆、序列分析及在不同发育阶段的表达特征

Fe-S蛋白(rieske iron-sulfur protein, RISP)是线粒体复合物Ⅲ的关键蛋白亚基之一, 在呼吸链电子传递中起着重要作用。本文利用RT-PCR技术和RACE方法获得了斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura (Fab.)线粒体复合物ⅢRISP基因, 该基因序列全长4 413 bp, 含有3个内含子; 开放阅读框长816 bp, 编码271个氨基酸。经氨基酸序列比对, 与鳞翅目家蚕Bombyx mori和小菜蛾Plutella xylostella的Fe-S蛋白一致性较高, 分别为83%和79%, 与其他目昆虫的RISP一致性较低。qRT-PCR分析结果表明, SlitRISP基因在斜纹夜蛾不同发育阶段的表达水平存在显著差异, 即幼虫期和成虫期的表达量显著高于卵期和蛹期, 其中幼虫期又以第4和5龄幼虫表达水平显著高于初孵幼虫以及第1, 2, 3和6龄幼虫。斜纹夜蛾SlitRISP基因的克隆成功为今后对其功能研究以及作为靶标设计新型高效杀虫剂提供了基础。     

核受体因子FTZ-F1在斜纹夜蛾响应虫螨腈及辛硫磷胁迫中的作用机制

【目的】本研究旨在揭示昆虫蜕皮激素信号通路上的关键核受体因子FTZ-F1在斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura响应虫螨腈和辛硫磷胁迫中的作用机制。【方法】使用生物信息学方法鉴定斜纹夜蛾FTZ-F1基因,并进行序列比对及系统发育树构建;将LC₃₀浓度辛硫磷和虫螨腈浸叶处理的桑叶分别喂食斜纹夜蛾3龄幼虫,并分别收集取食药叶后1, 12, 24, 36和48 h时存活的幼虫,使用qRT-PCR技术检测幼虫体内SlFTZ-F1的表达水平;使用RNAi技术沉默SlFTZ-F1基因,并使用qRT-PCR技术检测注射dsRNA后SlFTZ-F1的表达水平;将LC₃₀浓度虫螨腈和辛硫磷浸叶处理的桑叶分别喂食沉默了SlFTZ-F1的斜纹夜蛾3龄幼虫,喂食后24和48 h统计斜纹夜蛾幼虫死亡率;选取8个斜纹夜蛾谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(SlGST)基因,使用qRT-PCR技术检测沉默了SlFTZ-F1基因的斜纹夜蛾幼虫这些SlGST基因的表达水平。【结果】斜纹夜蛾SlFTZ-F1开放阅读框长1 665 bp,编码555个氨基酸,等电点为6.39,理论分子量61.77 kD,SlFTZ-F1具有DNA结合域、FTZ-F1 box及配体结合域;系统发育分析表明,SlFTZ-F1与草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda的SfFTZ-F1聚为一个亚分支。与ddH₂O处理的对照相比,LC₃₀浓度虫螨腈处理后1, 24和36 h以及LC₃₀浓度辛硫磷处理后24和36 h,斜纹夜蛾3龄幼虫SlFTZ-F1的表达量均显著上调。与注射dsGFP的对照组相比,斜纹夜蛾幼虫在注射dsSlFTZ-F1后48 h SlFTZ-F1基因的表达量显著下降;分别将LC₃₀浓度虫螨腈和辛硫磷处理的桑叶喂食沉默了SlFTZ-F1的斜纹夜蛾3龄幼虫,48 h时与对照组相比斜纹夜蛾幼虫死亡率分别显著升高22%和28%;沉默SlFTZ-F1的斜纹夜蛾幼虫8个SlGST基因的表达量均显著下降。【结论】虫螨腈及辛硫磷显著诱导斜纹夜蛾幼虫SlFTZ-F1基因表达,沉默SlFTZ-F1后斜纹夜蛾幼虫对虫螨腈和辛硫磷的敏感性显著升高,解毒酶SlGST基因的表达受到显著抑制,说明发育相关的转录因子FTZ-F1在斜纹夜蛾响应常用杀虫剂胁迫中发挥了重要作用。     

甜菜夜蛾肽聚糖识别蛋白基因SePGRP-SA的克隆及功能鉴定

【目的】本研究旨在阐明甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua幼虫体内肽聚糖识别蛋白(peptidoglycan recognition protein, PGRP)在响应苏云金芽胞杆菌Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)感染过程中的功能。【方法】利用PCR方法扩增甜菜夜蛾幼虫肽聚糖识别蛋白基因SePGRP-SA全长cDNA;采用qRT-PCR分析SePGRP-SA在甜菜夜蛾不同发育阶段(卵、1-5龄幼虫、预蛹和蛹)及4龄幼虫不同组织(中肠、马氏管、围食膜、脂肪体、血淋巴和表皮)中的表达。通过RNAi技术沉默SePGRP-SA基因72 h后,qRT-PCR检测SePGRP-SA沉默效率及甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫中肠抗菌肽相关基因(Ceropin, Attacin和Defensin)和细菌载量的变化。RNAi沉默SePGRP-SA 24 h后,以苏云金芽胞杆菌菌株Bt-GS57饲喂甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫0, 24, 48, 72, 96和120 h,计算幼虫校正死亡率;饲喂甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫Bt-GS57后0, 24, 48和72 h,利用qRT-PCR检测中肠SePGRP-SA, Ceropin, Attacin和Defensin的相对表达量。【结果】克隆获得甜菜夜蛾SePGRP-SA全长DNA(GenBank登录号：MW265930),开放阅读框长576 bp,编码191个氨基酸,其编码蛋白的预测分子量为21.59 kD。序列分析结果表明,SePGRP-SA具有典型的PGRP和Ami2保守结构域,信号肽为19个氨基酸,为分泌型蛋白;系统进化分析发现,SePGRP-SA与斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura的SlPGRP亲缘关系最近,氨基酸序列一致性达91.1%。发育表达谱结果表明SePGRP-SA在甜菜夜蛾4和5龄幼虫、预蛹和蛹中高表达;组织表达谱结果表明,SePGRP-SA在4龄幼虫各组织中均表达,其中以血淋巴中表达量最高。与注射dsEGFP(对照)相比,注射dsSePGRP-SA的甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫在72 h时中肠SePGRP-SA基因表达量下调了95.26%,Cecropin, Attacin和Defensin表达量显著下调,中肠细菌载量显著升高。注射dsEGFP和dsSePGRP-SA的甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫饲喂Bt-GS57,72 h时幼虫校正死亡率分别为50.00%和73.33%,表明幼虫对Bt-GS57的敏感性明显增加。甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫取食Bt-GS57后,中肠SePGRP-SA, Cecropin, Attacin和Defensin表达量在48 h均显著增加,72 h时降低。【结论】Bt侵染能够引起甜菜夜蛾SePGRP SA基因激活抗菌肽相关基因Cecropin, Attacin和Defensin的表达。     

苦瓜素Ⅰ对斜纹夜蛾几丁质酶基因(SlCht)和几丁质合成酶基因(SlCHS-A)表达及其生长发育的影响

【目的】几丁质酶和几丁质合成酶对昆虫的变态发育极其重要。本研究旨在阐明苦瓜素Ⅰ对斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura几丁质酶和几丁质合成酶基因表达及其生长发育的影响。【方法】利用RT-qPCR检测斜纹夜蛾几丁质酶基因(SlCht)和几丁质合成酶基因(SlCHS-A)在斜纹夜蛾不同发育阶段(卵、幼虫、预蛹、蛹和成虫)和4-6龄幼虫不同组织(体壁、中肠、脂肪体、血细胞、头部和马氏管)中的表达水平以及注射苦瓜素Ⅰ溶液(4 μg/头) 24, 48和72 h时斜纹夜蛾SlCht和SlCHS-A在6龄幼虫各组织中的表达水平。分析在斜纹夜蛾4龄幼虫中注射不同浓度(31.25, 62.5, 125, 250和500 ng/头)的苦瓜素Ⅰ溶液对幼虫和蛹历期、幼虫增重、蛹重、蛹长度、化蛹率、羽化率和存活率的影响,并利用体视显微镜观察斜纹夜蛾幼虫的表型变化。【结果】SlCht和SlCHS-A在斜纹夜蛾中的表达具有发育阶段特异性。SlCht和SlCHS-A在卵期表达量最高,幼虫期和预蛹期的表达量较低;在各幼虫期又表现为6龄幼虫期表达量最高,在其他龄期的表达量低。SlCht和SlCHS-A在斜纹夜蛾6龄幼虫中也显示出组织特异性表达,在血细胞和体壁中高表达,在头部、中肠和脂肪体中低表达。在斜纹夜蛾6龄幼虫中注射苦瓜素Ⅰ能诱导SlCht和SlCHS-A在其各组织中表达量降低;在4龄幼虫中注射苦瓜素Ⅰ后,斜纹夜蛾的生长发育受到抑制,幼虫增重延缓,发育历期延长,化蛹率下降甚至化蛹失败,幼虫及蛹出现较高的畸形率。【结论】苦瓜素Ⅰ可通过诱导SlCht和SlCHS-A表达量的降低来实现对斜纹夜蛾生长发育的抑制作用。本研究为进一步阐明苦瓜素对斜纹夜蛾生长发育的抑制机制提供了新的理论基础,并为进一步应用苦瓜素Ⅰ进行防控奠定了基础。     

斜纹夜蛾信息素结合蛋白SlitPBP4的分子克隆、组织表达谱及结合特性分析

【目的】鉴定斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura新的信息素结合蛋白(pheromone binding protein,PBP)基因,明确其在斜纹夜蛾不同组织中的表达水平并探讨其功能。【方法】基于已报道的烟草天蛾Manduca sexta、家蚕Bombyx mori、君主斑蝶Danaus plexippus和庆网蛱蝶Melitaea cinxia 4种非夜蛾科昆虫PBP4同源基因的序列特点及与其他PBP基因在染色体上的相邻关系,通过分析实验室先前克隆到的斜纹夜蛾PBP/GOBP基因序列,克隆斜纹夜蛾PBP4同源基因;通过RT-PCR和q PCR技术测定该基因在斜纹夜蛾雌雄成虫不同组织中的表达水平;利用体外表达和荧光竞争性结合实验测定斜纹夜蛾PBP4蛋白对性信息素组分和植物气味物质的结合能力。【结果】在夜蛾科昆虫斜纹夜蛾中鉴定到首个PBP4基因,命名为Slit PBP4(Gen Bank登录号:MG356847),c DNA编码210个氨基酸,具有N末端信号肽、疏水性气味分子结合域及6个保守半胱氨酸等PBP的典型序列特征,其基因组DNA在保守位置也含有2个内含子;但和已报道的斜纹夜蛾3个PBP相比,PBP4的C末端明显较长。Slit PBP4在雄成虫腹部(生殖系统)极高表达,在雌雄成虫触角及其他组织中仅微弱表达或不表达。荧光竞争性结合实验结果表明,Slit PBP4蛋白与被测定的信息素组分及植物气味物质均没有明显结合能力。【结论】报道了夜蛾科昆虫的首个PBP4基因,该基因可能主要参与雄虫生殖相关的生理过程而非嗅觉功能。     

斜纹夜蛾视黄酸结合蛋白(Slcrabp)基因的克隆、表达及功能

视黄酸结合蛋白(Cellular retinoic acid binding protein,CRABP)属于胞内脂质结合蛋白超基因家族,参与了许多生理活动,如细胞分化、组织重建和信号转导等,但其在昆虫中肠的作用尚不明确。研究从斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura中肠基因表达序列标签(EST)文库中克隆获得一个编码Slcrabp的全长c DNA,该c DNA由396个核苷酸组成,编码132个氨基酸。预测CRABP蛋白质的空间结构与脂肪酸结合蛋白非常相似,含一个由10个反平行的β折叠和2个α螺旋形成的配体结合中心结构域。Sl CRABP基因具有4个外显子,与脊椎动物crabp基因类似。RT-PCR检测表明,在转录水平上,Slcrabp在6龄幼虫中肠的各个时期均有较高表达。Western blot分析结果显示,Sl CRABP蛋白分布广泛,在中肠、脂肪体、精巢等组织上大量表达。在中肠,其表达峰值出现在预蛹期。利用荧光标记物质8-苯胺基-1-萘磺酸(1,8-ANS)分析了重组Sl CRABP蛋白与不同底物的亲和力,发现Sl CRABP与不饱和长链脂肪酸有较高结合活性,如花生四烯酸钠、亚麻酸、油酸钠和油酸,但与视黄酸、视黄醇的结合力却很弱或几乎不结合,暗示斜纹夜蛾Sl CRABP功能与同家族脂肪酸结合蛋白(FABP)性质相似。对6龄幼虫进行饥饿处理,结果显示经过经24 h和48 h饥饿处理后,虫体中肠Sl CRABP蛋白质的表达量有显著上升,暗示Sl CRABP可能参与了斜纹夜蛾体内脂类的转运过程。     

鳞翅目昆虫中甾体载体蛋白-2的初步鉴定

甾体载体蛋白-2(SCP-2)是介导昆虫胆固醇吸收和运输的一种重要载体蛋白,已在双翅目中被发现和鉴定.利用SDS-PAGE和western blot鉴定鳞翅目昆虫棉铃虫和粉纹夜蛾离体培养细胞中SCP-2的存在.结果 表明棉铃虫中肠组织和粉纹夜蛾Tn581细胞中确实存在SCP-2蛋白.     

斜纹夜蛾泛素基因的克隆及表达

泛素介导的蛋白质降解途径对脑内蛋白的选择性降解起着重要作用。设计一对简并引物,从斜纹夜娥(Spodoptera litura)细胞中克隆了泛素基因的编码区,CenBank登录号AF436066。序列分析表明,该编码区的长度为228bp,编码由76个氨基酸组成的、分子质量为8．56kD的蛋白,其等电点为6．56。同源性比较发现,斜纹夜峨泛素基因不仅与其它真核生物的泛素基因在氨基酸水平上具有96％以上的相似性,而且与斜纹夜蛾核多角体病毒(SpltMNPV)泛素基因的同源性为84％。RT—PCR分析发现,泛素基因在所检测的斜纹夜蛾幼虫多种组织,尤其是脂肪体中均有表达。采用构建的原核表达载体pQEUB,在大肠杆菌M15中诱导并高效表达出了带有His—tag的重组融合蛋白,薄层扫描分析得知靶蛋白约占总蛋白的37％。利用Ni—NTA亲和层析胶纯化得到重组融合蛋白,经SDS—PAGE鉴定为单一区带,为进一步研究S．litura泛素在SpltMNPV感染中的作用打下了基础。     

Plasma membrane rafts complete cholesterol synthesis by participating in retrograde movement of precursor sterols

Mammalian cells synthesize significant amounts of precursor sterols, in addition to cholesterol, at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The newly synthesized sterols rapidly move to the plasma membrane (PM). The mechanism by which precursor sterols move back to the ER for their enzymatic processing to cholesterol is essentially unknown. Here we performed pulse-chase experiments and showed that the C29/C30 sterols rapidly move from the PM to the ER and are converted to cholesterol. The retrograde precursor sterol transport is largely independent of the Niemann-Pick type C proteins, which play important roles in late endosomal cholesterol transport. In contrast, disrupting lipid rafts significantly retards the conversion of C29/C30 and C28 sterols to cholesterol, causing the accumulation of precursor sterols at the PM. Our results reveal a previously undisclosed function of the PM lipid rafts: they bring cholesterol biosynthesis to completion by participating in the retrograde movement of precursor sterols back to the ER.     

Yeast-like symbiotes as a sterol source in anobiid beetles (Coleoptera,Anobiidae): possible metabolic pathways from fungal sterols to 7-dehydrocholesterol

Insects are unable to synthesize sterols and require exogenous sterol sources for their normal development and reproduction. A few exceptions are insects associated with symbiotic yeasts or fungi. We analyzed sterols by GC-MS in two anobiid beetles (Lasioderma serricorne and Stegobium paniceum), their intracellular yeast-like symbiotes (YLS), and their diets in order to clarify the sterols synthesized by YLS and the metabolic pathways of the sterols in the beetles. Several C(27), C2(8), and C(29) saturated and unsaturated sterols were identified; the predominant sterols were cholesterol and 7-dehydrocholesterol in the anobiid beetles and ergosterol in the YLS. Most sterols detected in YLS were those known in the late pathway of the ergosterol biosynthesis in yeasts and most of the sterols in the beetles appear to be intermediate metabolites from YLS sterols to 7-dehydrocholesterol. The anobiid beetles appear to use ergosterol and 5-dihydroergosterol as sources for 7-dehydrocholesterol.     

Nutrient and drug effects on cholesterol metabolism in the laying hen

The laying hen is a highly dynamic model for studies of cholesterol metabolism. Cholesterol biosynthesis takes place primarily in the liver where it is regulated by both diet and drugs. Ovarian cholesterol biosynthesis follows a pattern different from that in liver and is not influenced by dietary fat or cholesterol. The hen responds to high levels of dietary polyunsaturated fat by increasing cholesterol biosynthesis, egg cholesterol deposition, and fecal bile acid excretion. Dietary cholesterol curtails liver cholesterol biosynthesis and may or may not result in increased egg cholesterol deposition and/or increased fecal steroid excretion depending on the level of cholesterol intake. Dietary plant sterols and fiber may moderate egg cholesterol deposition but the conditions under which this takes place are not well defined. D-Thyroxin reduces blood cholesterol, increases blood sterol turnover, and increases egg cholesterol concentration. Triparanol and azasterols prevent desmosterol conversion to cholesterol with resultant appearance of both sterols in blood and eggs. Probucol moderates egg cholesterol deposition by reducing synthesis and/or transfer of the sterol to the egg. Implications for the use of the hen in cholesterol metabolism studies are discussed.     

Distribution and dynamic state of sterols and steroids in the tissues of an insect, the roach Eurycotis floridana

The total concentrations of sterols in the tissues of the roach, Eurycotis floridana, reared under aseptic conditions and on semisynthetic diets, are similar to, but somewhat lower than, those of tissues of vertebrates. Total concentrations of tissue sterols are relatively independent of dietary concentration of sterols whether the diet contains 0.1% cholesterol as the sole sterol, or a "minimal cholesterol" mixture (0.1% cholestanol together with 0.005% cholesterol). Under the latter conditions the cholesterol is incorporated preferentially into most tissues and remains almost exclusively unesterified, while the cholesterol-sparing sterol is esterified to varying degree, depending upon the tissue. The turnover of tissue sterols has been studied. Cholesterol of the tissues of adult insects grown on a diet containing this sterol alone may be displaced by cholestanol fed as 5% of the total diet, initially at an appreciable rate but later much less rapidly. In growing insects that have received a diet containing cholestanol together with minimal cholesterol, the unesterified cholesterol turns over slowly in all tissues and immeasurably slowly in some. The unesterified sparing sterol, on the other hand, turns over at a much greater rate. The turnover of sterols during growth is accompanied by a shift of sterols from the unesterified to the esterified pool in all tissues. The fat body of the growing insect stores sterols (apparently as their esters) that have been displaced from other tissues. The fat body of the adult does not show evidence of sterol storage. Polar derivatives of sterols are present in minor amount in all tissues of the insect, most abundantly in the mid-intestine and gastric caeca. These compounds seem likely to be C(27) steroids.     

Biosynthesis of a C21 steroid conjugate in an insect. The conversion of [14C]cholesterol to 5-[14C]pregnen-3 beta,20 beta-diol glucoside in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

Following injection into Manduca sexta (L.) female pupae (day 16), [14C]cholesterol was converted to a C21 steroid conjugate, 5-[14C]pregnen-3 beta,20 beta-diol glucoside. The conjugate was isolated from ovaries and eggs and contained three glucose units at least one of which is attached to C-20. The distribution of the other two glucose units remains to be determined. Other than the dealkylation of C-24 alkane or alkene substituents, side-chain cleavage of sterols is uncommon to insects. Here we report the first definitive proof of the biosynthesis of a C21 steroid conjugate from cholesterol in an insect species. The capability of M. sexta to so readily convert cholesterol to a C21 steroid suggests a physiological role for 5-pregnen-3 beta,20 beta-diol in this species.     

Dietary sterols/steroids and the generalist caterpillar Helicoverpa zea: Physiology,biochemistry and midgut gene expression

Sterols are essential nutrients for insects because, in contrast to mammals, no insect (or arthropod for that matter) can synthesize sterols de novo. Plant-feeding insects typically generate their sterols, commonly cholesterol, by metabolizing phytosterols. However, not all phytosterols are readily converted to cholesterol. In this study we examined, using artificial diets containing single sterols/steroids, how typical (cholesterol and stigmasterol) and atypical (cholestanol and cholestanone) sterols/steroids affect the performance of a generalist caterpillar (Helicoverpa zea). We also performed sterols/steroids analyses, using GC/MS techniques, to explore the metabolic fate of these different dietary sterols/steroids. Finally, we used a microarray approach to measure, and compare, midgut gene expression patterns that arise as a function of dietary sterols/steroids. In general, H. zea performed best on the cholesterol and stigmasterol diets, with cholesterol as the dominant tissue sterol on these two treatments. Compared to the cholesterol and stigmasterol diets, performance was reduced on the cholestanol and cholestanone diets; on these latter treatments stanols were the dominant tissue sterol. Finally, midgut gene expression patterns differed as a function of dietary sterol/steroid; using the cholesterol treatment as a reference, gene expression differences were smallest on stigmasterol, intermediate on cholestanol, and greatest on cholestanone. Inspection of our data revealed two broad insights. First, they identify a number of genes potentially involved in sterol/steroid metabolism and absorption. Second, they provide unique mechanistic insights into how variation in dietary sterol/steroid structure can affect insect herbivores.     

Effects of lysine deprivation and serum stimulation on the synthesis of non-histone chromosomal proteins by confluent chick fibroblasts

Cellular sterol content and sterol metabolism were studied in diploid human kidney cells in early passages in culture. Cholesterol, the main cellular sterol, was present at levels similar to those reported for other cultured mammalian kidneys. Cholesterol biosynthesis was characterized by a slow conversion of sterol precursors with accumulation of lanosterol and 27 carbon-atom sterols. In the absence of exogenous cholesterol, kidney cells grew slowly and intracellular cholesterol decreased; however, sterol formation from labelled acetate was stimulated. These results suggest that the cholesterol concentration in the culture medium influences the rate of sterol formation by the kidney cell. Furthermore, cholesterol appears to be essential to cultured human kidney and de novo synthesis by the cells in culture is not adequate to meet their requirements for growth.     

Tellurium-Induced Alterations in 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Gene Expression and Enzyme Activity: Differential Effects in Sciatic Nerve and Liver Suggest Tissue-Specific Regulation of Cholesterol Synthesis

The demyelination of peripheral nerves that results from exposure of developing rats to tellurium is due to inhibition of squalene epoxidase, a step in cholesterol biosynthesis. In sciatic nerve, cholesterol synthesis is greatly depressed, whereas in liver, some compensatory mechanism maintains normal levels of cholesterol synthesis. This tissue specificity was further explored by examining, in various tissues, gene expression and enzyme activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. Exposure to tellurium resulted in pronounced increases in both message levels and enzyme activity in liver, the expected result consequent to up-regulation of this enzyme in response to decreasing levels of intracellular sterols. In contrast to liver, levels of mRNA and enzyme activity in sciatic nerve were both decreased during the tellurium-induced demyelinating period. The temporal pattern of changes in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase message levels in sciatic nerve seen following exposure to tellurium was similar to the down-regulation seen for mRNA specific for PNS myelin proteins. Possible mechanisms for differential control of cholesterol biosynthesis in sciatic nerve and liver are discussed.     

Comparison of the metabolism of cholesterol, cholestanol, and -sitosterol in L-cell mouse fibroblasts

The following data have been obtained from comparative studies on the metabolism of cholesterol, cholestanol, and beta-sitosterol by L-cell mouse fibroblasts. (1) When the sterols are added to the growth medium under similar conditions, cellular incorporation of cholesterol > cholestanol > beta-sitosterol; (2) only limited cellular esterification of these compounds occurs; (3) no metabolic products arising from the sterols could be detected; (4) influx of all sterols is dependent upon the concentration; and (5) exogenous cholesterol reduces mevalonate incorporation into cellular sterol to a lesser extent than acetate or glucose. The metabolism of these sterols is discussed in relation to their ability to influence de novo sterol biosynthesis.     

Role of sterol photoconversion products in the regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis in rat skin

In order to clarify the effect of products of photochemical conversion of sterols on cholesterol biosynthesis, rat skin samples were incubated with 2-(14)C-acetate in the presence of the antirachitic agent Dk and 7beta-hydroxycholesterol. The synthesis of sterols from acetate was activated in the presence of Dk. A correlation between the activation of sterol synthesis and the concentration of the antirachitic agent was found. An addition of 7beta-hydroxycholesterol to the incubation medium inhibited acetate incorporation into the sterols. The level of synthesis inhibition increased with an elevation of the 7beta-hydroxysterol concentration in the incubation medium. This indicates that both products of sterol photoconversion can be involved in the control of cholesterol biosynthesis.