中国对虾蜕皮抑制激素全长cDNA的克隆及序列分析

对虾的蜕皮活动由蜕皮抑制激素和蜕皮激素调控,蜕皮抑制激素是甲壳动物CHH家族神经肽的成员之一,通过抑制Y器官蜕皮激素的合成而调节蜕皮,以中国对虾（Fennropenaeus chinensis）眼柄总RNA为材料,采用cDNA末端快速扩增（RACE）方法。首次得到蜕皮抑制激素的全长cDNA（GenBank登录号：AF469187）。该全长cDNA大小为697bp,是由320bp的3′RACE产物和468bp的5′RACE产物拼接而成,Blast搜索结果显示,该全长cDNA与甲壳动物的MIH基因序列具有较高的相似性,用Clustal X进行多序列比较结果表明,由该全长cDNA推导的氨基酸序列与对虾类的MIH的氨基酸序列同源性最高,其中与日本对虾,斑节对虾,刀额新对虾MIH的同源性分别为95.1%,83.1%,79.1%,根据以上数据,推断该697bp的全长cDNA为编码中国对虾MIH前体的cDNA。进一步序列分析表明,编码中国对虾MIH前体cDNA包括312bp的开放阅读框,81bp的3′UTR和302bp的5′UTR;编码103个氨基酸的MIH前体分子包括信号肽和成熟肽,信号肽由28个氨基酸组成,成熟肽由75个氨基酸组成,成熟肽中6个半胱氨酸非常保守。     

中华绒螯蟹蜕皮抑制激素1(Ers-MIH1)基因组DNA的分子克隆和序列分析

运用反向PCR (IPCR)技术首次克隆得到全长为 3 50 6bp的中华绒螯蟹 (Eriocheirjaponicasinensis)蜕皮抑制激素 1(MIH 1)基因组DNA序列 (GenBank检索号 :AY3 10 3 13 )。该序列包括 3个外显子、 2个内含子、 412bp的 5′端上游调控区和 917bp的 3′端UTR。编码区的第 1个内含子将信号肽分开 ,第 2个内含子将成熟肽分开。MIH 1基因的外显子和内含子接头区符合受体拼接点和供体拼接点的GT AG法则。MIH 1基因412bp的 5′端侧翼区含有和其它真核基因相似的启动子元件 ,即包括与其它节肢动物高度相似的起始子、TATA盒以及cAMP效应元件结合蛋白的结合位点序列。中华绒螯蟹MIH 1基因的组织方式与斑纹和食用黄道蟹的MIH基因相同。推导的多肽由 75个氨基酸的成熟肽和 3 5个氨基酸的信号肽组成 ,成熟肽的氨基酸序列和食用黄道蟹、三叶真蟹及美洲黄道蟹的一致性在 64% -65%之间     

日本蟳高血糖激素基因的克隆与表达分析

通过RACE技术克隆获得日本蟳Charybdis japonica高血糖激素基因（CjCHH）全长cDNA序列;运用实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）方法分析该基因的组织差异性表达;利用原核表达技术获得CjCHH重组蛋白。序列分析表明：CjCHH cDNA全长1754 bp,包含111bp的5’末端非编码区（UTR）,423 bp的开放阅读框（ORF）,以及1236 bp的3’UTR,该基因可编码140个氨基酸。序列比对结果显示：CjCHH的成熟肽序列与其它甲壳动物CHH的一致性为41%~88%。系统进化树显示：CjCHH与其它梭子蟹科的CHH聚在一起,这与日本蟳所处的分类地位一致。组织差异性表达研究显示：CjCHH在检测的10个组织中均有表达,其中眼柄中表达量最高,肠和Y-器次之,其余组织表达量较低。成功构建了CjCHH重组表达质粒pET-CHH,并在大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli）中获得了高效表达,重组蛋白的相对分子量约11 kDa,与预测的相对分子质量大小相一致,表达水平在5 h的IPTG诱导过程中呈现上升趋势。     

中华绒螯蟹蜕皮抑制激素基因的表达及抗体制备

蜕皮抑制激素(Moltinhibitinghormone,MIH)属于甲壳动物高血糖激素家族神经肽,对甲壳类的蜕皮起抑制作用。本研究用DNA重组技术将中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheirjaponicasinensis)的蜕皮抑制激素1(ErsMIH1)成熟肽的cDNA序列亚克隆至原核表达载体pET28a( )中,并在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中进行高效表达。SDSPAGE检测结果显示,融合蛋白pET-MIH1的Mr约为12kD,与理论值相符。融合蛋白的表达量约占菌体总蛋白的15%,表达产物以包涵体形式存在。对包涵体进行变性、复性及纯化处理,并以8mol/L尿素溶解的包涵体作为免疫原免疫BALB/c小鼠制备多克隆抗体。ELISA和Westernblot的结果表明制备的抗体效价高、特异性强     

甲壳动物高血糖激素家族生理功能研究进展

甲壳动物高血糖激素家族是甲壳动物特有的神经多肽激素家族,主要由眼柄的X-器窦腺复合体(XO-SG)合成与分泌,包括高血糖激素(CHH)、蜕皮抑制激素(MIH)、性腺抑制激素(GIH)和大颚器抑制激素(MOIH),协同调控着甲壳动物的生长、繁殖与蜕皮等生理生化过程.本文就目前CHH家族神经肽的功能研究,包括功能研究的方法、各个激素的功能以及分泌调控等研究进展作一综述.     

三疣梭子蟹NF-κB家族基因Relish和Dorsal的克隆及表达特征

为研究Relish和Dorsal在三疣梭子蟹免疫过程中所起到的作用, 研究利用RACE技术克隆获得三疣梭子蟹Relish(Pt-Rel)、Dorsal基因(Pt-Dor) cDNA全长, 并通过实时荧光定量PCR技术分析了Pt-Rel和Pt-Dor基因在健康蟹不同组织及其原代培养的血淋巴细胞在感染不同微生物后的表达情况。结果显示, Pt-Rel cDNA长3254 bp, ORF长2949 bp, 编码983个氨基酸, Pt-Dor cDNA长2348 bp, ORF长1911 bp, 编码637个氨基酸; 蛋白结构预测分析发现Pt-Rel和Pt-Dor均包含RHD (Rel homology domain)及IPT (Immunoglobulin-like fold, Plexins, TranscriPtion factors)Rel/NF-κB家族蛋白经典结构域。Pt-Rel和Pt-Dor与其他节肢动物Relish、Dorsal氨基酸序列具有很高的相似性; 在系统进化分析中Pt-Rel和Pt-Dor分别与中华绒螯蟹等甲壳动物的Relish、Dorsal聚在一支, 而昆虫类聚在另一支。Pt-Rel和Pt-Dor在检测的6种组织中均有表达, 且2个基因均在血淋巴细胞中表达量最高。蟹血淋巴细胞体外感染实验结果表明, 不同病原微生物对2个基因表达的影响非常相似, 假丝酵母在2h明显诱导了Pt-Rel和Pt-Dor基因的表达, 而金黄色葡萄球菌及溶藻弧菌在感染4h后使Pt-Rel和Pt-Dor基因的表达显著上调。上述研究结果表明Pt-Rel和Pt-Dor基因很有可能参与了三疣梭子蟹的抗感染免疫过程。     

亚洲玉米螟神经肽羽化激素基因cDNA的克隆及组织表达

羽化激素对调节昆虫的蜕皮和发育起关键作用。亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis是亚洲农业重要害虫之一,本实验研究了亚洲玉米螟羽化激素基因cDNA的分子结构和表达模式。利用兼并性引物RT-PCR技术,克隆了亚洲玉米螟羽化激素基因cDNA的中间片段,然后再用RACE方法,获得羽化激素基因的 cDNA全长序列。结果表明： 亚洲玉米螟羽化激素基因cDNA全长986 bp（GenBank登录号： DQ668369）,开放阅读框为267 bp,编码88个氨基酸的前体蛋白,其中包括前26个氨基酸组成的信号肽和62个氨基酸的成熟肽。亚洲玉米螟羽化激素基因与烟草天蛾、棉铃虫和家蚕已报道同源基因的同源性较高,分别为79.5%、77.3%和67.0%,与黑腹果蝇同源基因的同源性最低,仅45.5%。亚洲玉米螟羽化激素基因mRNA只在脑中表达,在咽下神经节、胸神经节、腹神经节等神经组织中检测不到,在非神经组织如中肠、脂肪体和表皮中也不表达。     

中华绒螯蟹卵巢RACE Cdna文库的构建

应用抑制性差减杂交技术 ,已经获得了中华绒螯蟹卵巢发育过程中差异表达基因的部分cDNA序列。为了进一步获得基因的全长cDNA序列 ,运用SMART技术 ,成功构建了中华绒螯蟹卵巢 (Ⅲ期 )RACEcDNA文库。琼脂糖凝胶电泳结果表明 ,文库所含全长cDNA的长度主要集中在 5 0 0～ 2 0 0 0bp之间 ,RACEPCR结果表明 ,所用基因特异性引物与接头引物皆能扩增出产物 ,说明所构文库的质量较好 ,适于用RACE方法从中分离中华绒螯蟹卵巢发育相关基因的全长cDNA。     

中华绒螯蟹胰脂酶基因克隆及表达分析

采用cDNA末端快速扩增技术(RACE)克隆获得了中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)胰脂酶基因(pancreatic lipase, PL)的cDNA序列全长。该序列全长1 970 bp,开放阅读框长度为1 374 bp,编码457个氨基酸,5'和3'非编码区(UTR)长度分别为372 bp和224 bp。理化分析表明其预测分子量为51.066 kD,理论等电点为4.65。其序列中检测到脂肪酶典型的催化三联体结构、"盖子"结构以及"亲核弯"结构。蛋白同源性和进化树分析表明,中华绒螯蟹胰脂酶和其他物种同源性较高(50%左右),且和甲壳动物聚为一支而与脊椎动物相聚较远。组织表达模式分析表明,EsPL基因主要在肝胰腺、肠道、胸神经节表达较高;幼体发育阶段表达模式分析表明,EsPL基因在溞状幼体Ⅰ~Ⅲ期表达量逐渐递增,Ⅳ期显著下降,Ⅴ期较Ⅳ又显著增加,大眼幼体阶段表达最低;同一脂肪水平下,相比于含高不饱和脂肪酸的鱼油而言,植物油如豆油和亚麻油的添加均会增加胰脂酶基因的表达,且亚麻油鱼油混合油组促进效果最显著。上述结果表明饵料脂类显著影响中华绒螯蟹胰脂酶,从而为提高中华绒螯蟹对饵料脂类利用率提供了研究依据。     

表达序列标签数据库搜索鉴定小鼠UBAP1基因及其数字化表达分析

UBAP1(ubiquitin associated protein 1)基因是最近克隆的一个定位于人类染色体9p21-22鼻咽癌杂合性丢失高频区的泛肽相关蛋白家族新成员.为了深入研究UBAP1基因的功能,利用计算机对表达序列标签(expressed sequence tag, EST)、UniGene等数据库进行综合搜索分析,结合cDNA克隆测序的方法, 成功地获得了UBAP1基因在小鼠中的同源基因.小鼠UBAP1基因cDNA全长为2 676 bp,编码一个由441个氨基酸组成的蛋白质,在其蛋白质C端只有一个泛肽相关功能域（UBA domain）.与人UBAP1基因相比,两者编码的氨基酸序列有89%相同.基于EST的数字化表达分析显示UBAP1基因在小鼠正常组织中广泛高表达.     

Endocrine interrelationship between the parasitoid Chelonus sp. and its host Trichoplusia ni

The egg-larval parasitoid Chelonus sp. induces the precocious onset of metamorphosis in the 4th (penultimate) stadium of its host Trichoplusia ni, emerges from the prepupa, and then feeds on it. Qualitative and quantitative changes in ecdysteroids and juvenile hormone were measured. Hemolymph of 3rd-to 4th-instar host larvae and the parasitoids they contained, as well as nonparasitized and parasitized eggs, were analyzed. In the host hemolymph a broad peak of ecdysteroids during molting into the 4th stadium and a continuous increase from day 2 (onset of precocious wandering) until day 4 (emergence of parasitoid) were observed; 20-hydroxyecdysone and 20,26-dihydroxyecdysone were predominant. The juvenile hormone titer fluctuated in the 3rd and early 4th stadium and fell to undetectable levels shortly before the precocious onset of wandering. The parasitoid's ecdysteroids started to increase on the molt to the 2nd instar (= early 4th instar of the host) and thereafter fluctuated on a high level, 20-hydroxyecdysone, 20,26-dihydroxy-ecdysone, and ecdysone being predominant. The juvenile hormone titer was high in late 1st-instar parasitoids, decreased to low levels at ecdysis into the 2nd instar, and increased again to high levels in the 2nd-instar larvae at the time when their shape changed from flat to cylindrical. After ecdysis to the 3rd instar the juvenile hormone titer fell. A comparison revealed that both ecdysteroids and juvenile hormone fluctuate independently in parasitoid and host at most stages, suggesting that the parasitoid produces its own hormones. The first data on ecdysteroids and juvenile hormones in the egg stage of a parasitoid/host system are reported. At the stage of eye pigmentation parasitized eggs contained more immunoreactive midpolar ecdysteroids than non-parasitized ones. 20-Hydroxyecdysone and 20,26-dihydroxyecdysone were the predominant ecdysteroids in both nonparasitized and parasitized eggs, but the latter contained several additional ecdysteroids which were not seen in nonparasitized eggs. The titer of juvenile hormone was similar in both. Shortly before hatching the ecdysteroids were low in parasitized and nonparasitized eggs, but the content of juvenile hormone was much higher in the former. At this stage the majority of parasitoids have already eclosed and teratocytes are released. The results of HPLC analysis indicated the presence of juvenile hormone III together with juvenile hormones I and II in parasitized eggs, but only juvenile hormones I and II in nonparasitized eggs.     

INSECT HORMONES IN DEVELOPMENT

Advances in studies of prothoracicotropic hormone (ecdysiotropin), ecdysteroids and juvenile hormones in the past decade are considered:
1. Until recently there has been little progress with prothoracicotropic hormone. The development of a sensitive bioassay for the hormone promises to produce rapid advances.
2. Current methods of hormone analysis are described, with detection limits. The application of these methods in studies of hormones at different stages and in different tissues of insects have revealed a far greater complexity in hormone titres than was predicted from classical studies.
3. Very few studies employ chemical characterization of hormones and some assays do not distinguish biologically inactive metabolites of the hormones from the active hormones. Many studies have thus failed to reveal the numerous rapid fluctuations in hormone titre necessary for insect development.
4. While ecdysteroids act, via a receptor, on specific chromosome sites, the cellular mode of action of juvenile hormone in larval development is still unknown. Recent evidence suggests that juvenile hormone acts prior to the time at which its effects are realized by ecdysteroids.
5. Insect hormones produce dramatic changes in gene activity and their co-ordinate control of specific protein synthesis has been the basis for a number of 'model systems' of gene control in higher eukaryotes.     

Identification of the molting hormone of the sweet potato (Bemisia tabaci) and greenhouse (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) whitefly

In order to identify the whitefly molting hormone, whole body extracts of mature 4th instar and newly formed pharate adult Bemisia tabaci (Biotype B) and Trialeurodes vaporariorum were prepared and subjected to reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RPHPLC). Ecdysteroid content of fractions was determined by enzymeimmunoassay (EIA). The only detectable ecdysteroids that were present in significant amounts in whitefly extracts were ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone. The concentrations of 20-hydroxyecdysone in B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum extracts, respectively, were 40 and 15 times greater than the concentrations of ecdysone. The identity of the two ecdysteroids was confirmed by normal phase high performance liquid chromatography (NPHPLC). When ecdysteroid content of RPHPLC fractions was assayed by radioimmunoassay (RIA), small amounts of polar ecdysteroids were also detected indicating that these ecdysteroids have a very low affinity for the antiserum used in the EIA. Ecdysteroid at 10.4 mM administered by feeding stimulated 2nd instar whitefly nymphs to molt. Based on our results, it appears that 20-hydroxyecdysone is the whitefly molting hormone.     

Ecdysteroid release by the prothoracic gland of Gryllus bimaculatus (Ensifera: Gryllidae) during larval-adult development

The in vitro secretion of ecdysteroids from the prothoracic glands of larvae of Gryllus bimaculatus was analysed by HPLC-RIA. The primary product was identified as 3-dehydroecdysone (65-93%), with lesser amounts of ecdysone (7-35%). Production and release of ecdysteroids from the prothoracic glands are calcium-dependent. The rate of ecdysteroid release was low during the beginning and the end of the last two larval stages and high in between. Prothoracic glands from young adult females produced only minor amounts of ecdysteroids and ceased hormone production around day 4 after the moult.     

OVARIAN ECDYSONE ELICITS RELEASE OF A MYOTROPIC OVULATION HORMONE IN RHODNIUS (INSECTA: HEMIPTERA)

The hemolymph titres of ecdysteroids in both mated and virgin females peak 5 days after a blood meal. Ovariectomy prevents both the peak in ecdysteroids and the release of a myotropic ovulation hormone from the neurosecretory cells of the brain. Injection of ecdysterone into ovariectomized females results in the release of ovulation hormone in the mated, but not the virgin, female.     

The levels of ecdysteroids in uninjured and leg-autotomized nymphs of Blattella germanica (L.)

The levels of ecdysteroids in control and leg-autotomized first-instar nymphs of Blattella germanica were determined by radioimmunoassay from hatching to the time of the first ecdysis. Uninjured nymphs showed a distinct release of ecdysteroids half-way through the stadium, and this resulted in the commencement of the moult cycle which formed the cuticle of the second instar. Cockroaches which had legs autotomized at 48 h after hatching (i.e. before the control ecydsteroid release) had their instar duration increased by that time period. Releases of ecdysteroids and events of the moulting cycle were also postponed by the 48 h period. The titre of ecdysteroids in injured animals was double that of controls. Nymphs were also autotomized at 96 h (i.e. after the normal release of ecdysteroids) but no changes in instar duration, ecdysteroid releases, or events of the moult cycle were recorded. The effects of injury, prothoracicotropic hormone activity and ecdysteroid release are discussed.     

Hormonal Control of Molting in Decapod Crustacea

The involvement of the molting hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone,in the mediation of molting in decapod crustaceans is brieflyreviewed. Aspects of the secretion and metabolism of its precursor,ecdysone, are discussed. Experiments are described that demonstratethe presence of a molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) in the sinusglands of juvenile lobsters (Homarus americanus). Assays forMIH include measurement of the molt interval and radioimmunoassayof circulating titers of ecdysteroids in eyestalk-ablated lobsters.This latter assay indicates that sinus gland extracts significantlydecrease the concentration of circulating ecdysteroids 24 hrafter injection. Data are also presented on the circulatingtiters of ecdysteroids during multiple molt cycles of lobstersfollowing eyestalk ablation. These data indicate that theremust be another factor that ultimately regulates the circulatinglevels of the molting hormone.     

Hemolymph ecdysteroids during the last three molt cycles of the blue crab,Callinectes sapidus: quantitative and qualitative analyses and regulation

The profiles of circulating ecdysteroids during the three molt cycles prior to adulthood were monitored from the juvenile blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. Ecdysteroid patterns are remarkably similar in terms of peak concentrations ranging between 210–330 ng/ml hemolymph. Analysis of hemolymph at late premolt stage revealed six different types of ecdysteroids with ponasterone A (PoA) and 20‐OH ecdysone (20‐OH E) as the major forms. This ecdysteroid profile was consistent in all three molt cycles. Bilateral eyestalk ablation (EA) is a procedure that removes inhibitory neurohormones including crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) and molt‐inhibiting hormone (MIH) and often results in precocious molting in crustaceans. However, the inhibitory roles of these neuropeptides in vivo have not yet been tested in C. sapidus. We determined the regulatory roles of CHH and MIH in the circulating ecdysteroid from ablated animals through daily injection. A daily administration of purified native CHH and MIH at physiological concentration maintained intermolt levels of ecdysteroids in the EA animals. This suggests that Y organs (YO) require a brief exposure to CHH and MIH in order to maintain the low level of ecdysteroids. Compared to intact animals, the EA crabs did not exhibit the level of peak ecdysteroids, and the major ecdysteroid turned out to be 20‐OH E, not PoA. These results further underscore the important actions of MIH and CHH in ecdysteroidogenesis, as they not only inhibit, but also control the composition of output of the YO activity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Steroid control of neuron and muscle development during the metamorphosis of an insect

Insect metamorphosis is controlled by a small ensemble of developmental hormones including a class of steroids--the ecdysteroids. In the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, the progression from the larval to pupal to adult stages is controlled by the relative blood titers of ecdysteroids and juvenile hormone (JH). The cellular events in the nervous and muscular systems which accompany metamorphosis resemble those of embryonic development, but they occur in an animal which is larger and experimentally more tractable than an embryo. In this paper we review the role of ecdysteroids in directing the metamorphosis of the nervous and muscular systems in Manduca, and how JH modifies the cellular responses to the steroids. In particular, we describe how these hormones control muscle degeneration, changes in the structure and function of identified neurons, and programmed neuron death. One general finding is that interactions between cells (e.g., neurons and their target muscles) are not involved in their hormonal responses, but rather the hormones act independently and in parallel at the different sites. Another key finding is that the critical periods and hormonal requirements for the commitment to a particular differentiative pathway, and the phenotypic expression of that pathway, can differ, and are therefore experimentally separable. Finally, we find that the significance of a hormonal signal (e.g., a rise in blood ecdysteroids) is interpreted differently depending upon the previous history of hormone exposure of a neuron or muscle. This progressive change in the interpretation of hormonal signals is a major mechanism by which a limited number of hormones can orchestrate a complicated phenomenon such as metamorphosis.     

Ecdysteroid levels changed by permethrin action in female Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks

As recent studies have shown that ecdysteroids may play a major role in the regulation of vitellogenesis in Ixodidae, the present study quantified, by means of a radioimmunoassay, the levels of ecdysteroids present in the hemolymph of semi-engorged females of Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks obtained from control females (exposed to distilled water) and those exposed to increasing concentrations of permethrin. The levels of ecdysteroids decreased significantly as the concentration of permethrin increased, suggesting that this compound could be an inhibitor of ecdysteroids secretion, and consequently interfering with the reproductive ability of these ticks, since this hormone is responsible for the synthesis and incorporation of vitellogenin by oocytes. This study complements the previous results with R. sanguineus semi-engorged females, showing that permethrin is a potent agent causing major morphological changes in tick oocytes, such as the appearance of large vacuoles in the cytoplasm, reduction in the amount of yolk granules and a decrease in oocyte size, thus culminating in cell death and consequently reducing or preventing reproduction in treated females. The findings that permethrin leads to a decrease in ecdysteroid titers could represent an entry step into this scenario.