Sexual dimorphism in neuronal projections from the antennae of silk moths (Bombyx mori,Antheraea polyphemus) and the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar)

Summary The antennal lobe of both sexes of the silk moth Bombyx mori contains 55–60 ventrally located antennal glomeruli; in addition, that of the male contains a dorsal macroglomerular complex (MGC). A group of identifiable glomeruli consisting of two lateral large glomeruli (LLG) and four medial small glomeruli (MSG) is present in both sexes, but the LLG are greatly enlarged in the female. A MGC is also present in the male gypsy moth Lymantria dispar and male giant silk moth Antheraea polyphemus. The MGC in all of these species is organized into 3–4 distinct levels of glomeruli. Antennal sensory fibers were stained by cobalt backfills in B. mori, A. polyphemus, and L. dispar. Most fibers stained from cut long hairs (sensilla trichodea) projected to MGC in males and LLG in both sexes of B. mori. The distribution of fibers in the MGC of B. mori was topographically biased in that a majority of fibers from anterior branches projected medially in MGC while most fibers from posterior branches projected laterally or anteriorly. Terminal arborizations of single fibers were each restricted to a single glomerular level of the MGC. Fibers projecting to the posterior antennal center were frequently stained in cut-hair and control preparations, apparently by uptake of cobalt through intact sensilla on flagellar branches.     

Structure of isolated sensilla and sensory neurons in vitro: Observations on developing silkmoth antennae

Summary By combined enzymatic and mechanical treatment, it was possible to dissociate the sensory epithelium of developing antennae of male Antheraea polyphemus and A. pernyi silkmoths from the stage of separation of the antennal branches up to the early stages of cuticle deposition. Large numbers of entire developing trichoid sensilla were isolated. These are characterized by a large trichogen cell with a long apical, hair-forming process and a large nucleus. A cluster of 2–3 sensory neurons, enclosed by the thecogen cell, is situated in the basal region. The dendrites run past the nucleus of the trichogen cell into the apical process from which they protrude laterally. The nuclei of the tormogen and a 4^th enveloping cell can be distinguished near the base of the prospective hair. After further dissociation, only the neuron clusters remain, still enclosed by their thecogen cell and often attached to the antennal branch nerve via their axons. It is finally possible to disrupt the thecogen cells and the axons, leaving the sensory neurons with inner dendritic segments and axon stumps. The majority of these neurons can be expected to be olfactory.     

Morphogenesis of the antenna of the male silkmoth. Antheraea polyphemus, III. Development of olfactory sensilla and the properties of hair-forming cells

During adult development of the male silkmoth Antheraea polyphemus, the anlagen of olfactory sensilla arise within the first 2 days post-apolysis in the antennal epidermis (stage 1-3). Approximately on the second day, the primary dendrites as well as the axons grow out from the sensory neurons (stage 4). The trichogen cells start to grow apical processes approximately on the third day, and these hair-forming 'sprouts' reach their definite length around the ninth day (stages 5-6). Then the secretion of cuticle begins, the cuticulin layer having formed on day 10 (stage 7a). The primary dendrites are shed, the inner dendritic segments as well as the thecogen cells retract from the prospective hair bases, and the inner tormogen cells degenerate around days 10/11 (stage 7b). The hair shafts of the basiconic sensilla are completed around days 12/13 (stage 7c), and those of the trichoid sensilla around days 14/15 (stage 7d). The trichogen sprouts retract from the hairs after having finished cuticle formation, and the outer dendritic segments grow out into the hairs: in the basiconic sensilla directly through, and in the trichoid sensilla alongside, the sprouts. The trichogen sprouts contain numerous parallel-running microtubules. Besides their cytoskeletal function, these are most probably involved in the transport of membrane vesicles. During the phase of cuticle deposition, large numbers of vesicles are transported anterogradely from the cell bodies into the sprouts, where they fuse with the apical cell membrane and release their electron-dense contents (most probably cuticle precursors) to the outside. As the cuticle grows in thickness, the surface area of the sprouts is reduced by endocytosis of coated vesicles. When finally the sprouts retract from the completed hairs, the number of endocytotic vesicles is further increased and numerous membrane cisterns seem to be transported retrogradely along the microtubules to the cell bodies. Here the membrane material will most probably be used again in the formation of the sensillum lymph cavities. Thus, the trichogen cells are characterized by an intensive membrane recycling. The sensillum lymph cavities develop between days 16-20 (stage 8), mainly via apical invaginations of the trichogen cells. The imago emerges on day 21.     

Infection and development of Nosema bombycis (Microsporida: Protozoa) in a cell line of Antheraea eucalypti

Spores of Nosema bombycis derived from diseased insects were highly purified by Urografin density gradient centrifugation. Antheraea eucalypti cells were inoculated with the purified spores primed with 0.1 n KOH solution to start a continuous propagation of N. bombycis in cell culture. The first increase in the number of infected A. eucalypti cells was observed at 48 hr postinoculation, and it was caused by the secondary infective forms of N. bombycis. The secondary infective forms were produced during the course of sporoblast differentiation. The parasites in cell cultures divided synchronously until 36 hr postinoculation. Mature spores were observed initially 6 days postinoculation at 27°C. The infected cultures were subcultured extensively for more than 1 year with the addition of healthy A. eucalypti cells.     

Utilization of cuticular components ofAntheraea mylitta Drury larvae byPenicillium citrinum Thom.

The major cuticular components of Indian tasar silkworm,Antheraea mylitta Drury, were sequentially extracted and estimated to ascertain preferential utilization of these components for growth by the entomopathogenic fungusPenicillium citrinum Thom. Proteins which constituted 61.64% dry weight of cuticule were found to play a key role in the growth ofP. citrinum whereas lipids (7.15%) and chitin (30.02%) were least involved. Also, this study suggests absence of any mycocidal substance in the cuticle ofA. mylitta.     

Changes in carbohydrates and lipids during embryonic development ofAntheraea mylitta (Lepidoptera)

Changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism during embryonic development inAntheraea mylitta were studied. While carbohydrates were metabolized during early embryogenesis, lipids were catabolised at the later stages. A significant increase in both total carbohydrates and glycogen on days 5 and 6 suggested the concurrent occurrence of both gluconeogenesis and glycogenesis. As the development of the embryo proceeds, both lipids and carbohydrates were utilised, resulting in the increase in the concentration of citrate, pyruvate and lactate.     

A chromosome‐scale genome assembly of Antheraea pernyi (Saturniidae,Lepidoptera)

Antheraea pernyi is a semi‐domesticated lepidopteran insect species valuable to the silk industry, human health, and ecological tourism. Owing to its economic influence and developmental properties, it serves as an ideal model for investigating divergence of the Bombycoidea super family. However, studies on the karyotype evolution and functional genomics of A. pernyi are limited by scarce genomic resource. Here, we applied PacBio sequencing and chromosome structure capture technique to assemble the first high‐quality A. pernyi genome from a single male individual. The genome is 720.67 Mb long with 49 chromosomes and a 13.77‐Mb scaffold N50. Approximately 441.75 Mb, accounting for 60.74% of the genome, was identified as repeats. The genome comprises 21,431 protein‐coding genes, 85.22% of which were functionally annotated. Comparative genomics analysis suggested that A. pernyi diverged from its common ancestor with A. yamamai ~30.3 million years ago, and that chromosome fission contributed to the increased chromosome number. The genome assembled in this work will not only facilitate future research on A. pernyi and related species but also help to progress comparative genomics analyses in Lepidoptera.     

琥珀蚕孵化酶基因AaHE的克隆及启动子活性分析

【目的】琥珀蚕Antheraea assama具有典型的野蚕特征,蚕卵孵化不齐,严重影响琥珀蚕的室内规模化饲养。本研究旨在探究对琥珀蚕卵孵化起关键作用的孵化酶(hatching enzyme)基因及其启动子序列特征,为进一步选择合适的抑制剂或促进剂调节琥珀蚕卵的孵化奠定基础。【方法】采用RACE技术克隆琥珀蚕孵化酶基因的cDNA全长序列,对基因序列进行生物信息学分析;采用qRT-PCR检测琥珀蚕孵化酶基因在琥珀蚕不同发育天数卵中及5龄第3和4天幼虫不同组织(丝腺、马氏管、头、中肠、脂肪体、表皮、血液、精巢和卵巢)中的表达情况;采用染色体步移克隆琥珀蚕孵化酶基因的启动子序列,构建昆虫细胞重组表达载体转染家蚕Bombyx mori BmN细胞,检测琥珀蚕孵化酶基因启动子活性。【结果】获得了琥珀蚕孵化酶基因AaHE(GenBank登录号： KT336227.1)全长cDNA序列,长993 bp,编码294个氨基酸,预测蛋白质分子质量为33.7 kD,理论等电点为5.17。AaHE氨基酸序列含有一个信号肽和一个ZnMc结构域,AaHE是一种含有HExxH锌结合位点的锌依赖性蛋白水解酶,该类酶既是肽酶,同时又是一种消化酶。AaHE在琥珀蚕孵化前的卵及5龄幼虫中肠中特异性高表达,分别与AaHE的肽酶和消化酶的属性相吻合。AaHE启动子核心区存在多个转录因子结合位点,这可能与转录因子参与调节AaHE的表达有关。启动子活性分析表明,AaHE启动子在家蚕BmN细胞中能够启动EGFP基因的表达,具有明显的启动子活性。【结论】AaHE是锌依赖性蛋白水解酶,其启动子核心区存在多个转录因子结合位点。本研究为选择合适的抑制剂或促进剂调节琥珀蚕卵的孵化率提供了参考。     

柞蚕微粒子病潜在生物标志物的挖掘

【目的】挖掘柞蚕Antheraea pernyi微粒子病的潜在生物标志物,为开发该病害检测方法及研究柞蚕被微孢子虫Nosema pernyi侵染后体内代谢产物的差异及功能奠定基础。【方法】利用高效液相色谱和高分辨率质谱进行非靶向代谢组学分析,调查健康和患微粒子病柞蚕雌成虫血淋巴中代谢物差异。【结果】正离子模式下从健康和患微粒子病柞蚕雌成虫血淋巴中共获得8 870个代谢物,注释代谢物5 390个,筛选到差异表达代谢物472个(上调260个,下调212个),其中二级鉴定差异表达代谢物12个(上调8个,下调4个);负离子模式下获得6 716个代谢物,注释代谢物3 848个,筛选到差异表达代谢物301个(上调207个,下调94个),其中二级鉴定差异表达代谢物9个(上调8个,下调1个)。正离子模式下二级鉴定的差异表达代谢物包括缬氨酸(valine)、苯并噻唑(benzothiazole)、3-脱羟基肉碱(3-dehydroxycarnitine)、1 甲基鸟嘌呤(1-methylguanine)、2-乙氧基萘(2-ethoxynaphthalene)、N6-乙酰基-L-赖氨酸(N6-acetyl-L-lysine)、生物素(biotin)、桑色素(morin)、噻吗洛尔(timolol)、酰基肉碱15∶0(acylcarnitine 15∶0)、酰基肉碱18∶4(acylcarnitine 18∶4)和异槲皮苷(isoquercitrin);负离子模式下二级鉴定的差异表达代谢物包括二甲基丙二酸(dimethylmalonic acid)、戊二酸(glutaric acid)、2,5-二羟基苯甲酸(2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid)、1,3-二乙酰基丙烷(1,3-diacetylpropane)、3-(4-羟基苯基)乳酸(DL-p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid)、泛酸(pantothenate)、荧光素(fluorescein)、飞燕草素-3-O-beta-吡喃葡萄糖苷(delphinidin-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside)和溶血磷酯酰肌醇16∶1 (lysoPI 16∶1)。【结论】健康与患柞蚕微粒子病的柞蚕雌成虫血淋巴内代谢物具有显著差异,通过代谢组学挖掘出21个二级鉴定的差异表达代谢物,这些代谢物可作为潜在生物标志物用于开发柞蚕微粒子病的检测方法。     

松毛虫赤眼蜂两性生殖品系和孤雌产雌品系在不同品种柞蚕卵中的寄生和生长发育表现

【目的】明确两性生殖品系和孤雌产雌品系松毛虫赤眼蜂Trichogramma dendrolimi在不同品种柞蚕Antheraea pernyi卵中的寄生及发育表现,为以柞蚕卵为替代寄主更好地规模化繁育赤眼蜂提供依据。【方法】测定两性生殖品系和孤雌产雌品系雌蜂在6个品种柞蚕卵［抗大(KD)、大四(DS)、高新(GX)、988(NEE)、青大(QD)和特大(TD)］上的寄生率、子代蜂窝蜂数(单窝羽化子代蜂数)和子代蜂雌性比等生物学指标,以及6个品种柞蚕卵的质量指标(单卵湿重、蛋白质含量、总糖含量和甘油三酯含量);利用主成分分析揭示柞蚕卵质量指标与赤眼蜂生物学指标间的相关性。【结果】NEE品种柞蚕卵育出的两性品系松毛虫赤眼蜂子代蜂个体显著大于除KD和QD品种以外的其他柞蚕品种卵育出的两性品系子代蜂。柞蚕品种对两性品系松毛虫赤眼蜂的寄生率、子代蜂窝蜂数和子代蜂雌性比均无显著影响。在孤雌产雌品系松毛虫赤眼蜂中,KD品种柞蚕卵育出的松毛虫赤眼蜂子代蜂窝蜂数最多,显著高于NEE和QD品种育出的子代蜂窝蜂数,但与DS, GX和TD品种育出的子代蜂窝蜂数相比无显著差异。柞蚕品种对孤雌产雌品系松毛虫赤眼蜂的寄生率和子代蜂个体大小均无显著影响。TD品种柞蚕卵的蛋白质含量最高,显著高于除GX品种以外的柞蚕品种。KD品种柞蚕卵的总糖含量和QD品种柞蚕卵的甘油三酯含量最高,均分别显著高于其余柞蚕品种。主成分分析表明,两性品系松毛虫赤眼蜂寄生率、柞蚕卵蛋白质含量和甘油三酯含量均与柞蚕卵总糖含量呈负相关;两性品系松毛虫赤眼蜂子代蜂个体大小和柞蚕卵甘油三酯含量与单卵湿重呈负相关;孤雌产雌品系松毛虫赤眼蜂寄生率和柞蚕卵甘油三酯含量与松毛虫赤眼蜂子代蜂窝蜂数、柞蚕卵总糖含量和单卵湿重呈负相关;孤雌产雌品系松毛虫赤眼蜂子代蜂个体大小和柞蚕卵总糖含量与蛋白质含量呈负相关。【结论】本研究通过筛选适宜两性生殖品系和孤雌产雌品系赤眼蜂繁育的柞蚕卵品种,初步明确了卵内主要营养指标与子代蜂生物学指标间的相关性。研究结果为利用柞蚕卵更好地规模化繁育松毛虫赤眼蜂提供依据与数据支撑。