Regulation of development of the grain beetle Tenebrio molitor by neuropeptides

Summary

Two neuropeptides (NPs), hydra head activator (HHA), and the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), were used to study their effects on the development of the larvae of the grain beetle Tenebrio molitor (mealworms). The larvae received the NPs in the course of development at the beginning or at the end of instar. The LHRH given at the beginning of the instar stimulated molting and pupation in larvae; it did not affect molting in the late period of the instar. The C-end fragment of LHRH_(9–10) produced fewer molts and increased the duration of the instar period. The effect of this fragment was weak when it was injected at the initial period of the instar; it was considerably stronger in the end of the instar. It inhibited development when administered during the last instar. On the contrary, the N-end fragment of the LHRH_(1–2) stimulated growth and development of larvae. The action of these NPs can be connected to the function of the hormones of metamorphosis. The HHA administrated to the larvae at different days of the instar stimulated molting but in the last instar it delayed pupation. The C-end of the HHA_(7–11) stimulated molting when injected during the whole period of the instar. The other C-end fragments, the HHA_(8–11) and HHA_(9–11) had inhibitory effects on the molting. The injection of the N-end fragment of the HHA_(1–5) had no effect. The action of HHA and its fragments did not correlate with the function of the hormones of metamorphosis.     

Cloning, sequencing and prokaryotic expression of cDNAs for antifreeze protein family from beetle Tenebrio molitor

Partial cDNA sequences coding for antifreeze proteins in Tenebrio molitor were obtained by RT-PCR.Sequence analysis revealed nine putative cDNAs with a high degree of homology to Tenebrio molitor antifreeze protein genes published in GenBank.The recombinant pGEX-4T-l-tmafp-XJ430 was introduced into E.coli BL21 to induce a GST fusion protein by IPTG.SDS-PAGE analysis for the fusion protein shows a band of 38 kDa.pCDNA3- tmafp-XJ430 was injected into mice to generate antiserum which was later detected by indirect ELISA.The titer of the antibody was 1:2000.Western blot-ting analysis shows that the antiserum was specifically against the antifreeze protein.Our results laid the founda-tion for further studies on the properties and functions of insect antifreeze proteins.     

Structure-activity relationships for the cardiotropic action of the Led-NPF-I peptide in the beetles Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas atratus.

We have examined the effects of the Led-NPF-I peptide (Ala-Arg-Gly-Pro-Gln-Leu-Arg-Leu-Arg-Phe-amide) and a series of ten analogues on the heart contractile activity of Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas atratus, and the structure-activity relationships for cardioactive action of Led-NPF-I were established. A video microscopy technique and computer-based method of data acquisition and analysis were used to study the action of the peptides on continuously perfused heart preparations. Cardiac activity was progressively inhibited by Led-NPF-I when the peptide concentrations were increased from 10(-9) to 10(-5) M. Substitution of the L-proline residue at position 4 of the native peptide with hydroxyproline, valine or D-proline caused a loss of cardioinhibitory activity. Also, replacement of arginine residues at all three positions 2, 7 and 9 with another basic amino acid histidine, reduces cardioinhibitory action of Led-NPF-I. Some modifications of the C-terminal residues, as the Phe(4-NO2)-, Phe(4-NH2)- and Phe(4-NMe2)-analogues, resulted in agonistic peptides with biological activity similar to that of the native peptide. However, three other C-terminal analogues tested [Tyr10]-, [D-Phe10]-Led-NPF-I, and Ala-Arg-Gly-Pro-Gln-Leu-Arg-Leu-Arg-Phe-OH were inactive in the heart bioassay, which suggests that this end of the amino acid chain may play an important role in bioactivity and interaction of the native peptide with its receptor on the myocardium.     

Short-and long-term sperm precedence in the beetle Tenebrio molitor: a test of the 'adaptive sperm removal' hypothesis

Abstract. Sperm removal in Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) has been proposed as an adaptation to sperm competition and has been documented when the remating interval between successive copulations is short, but not when it is long (Gage, 1992). If sperm removal is adaptive, it follows that there should be different fertilization outcomes from double matings with different remating intervals.
Sperm precedence patterns were assessed using reciprocal double matings of normal and γ-irradiated (sterile) virgin males of controlled size and age with virgin females of controlled size and age.
Immediate last male sperm precedence was high whether the remating interval was short (<10 min) (P_2,= 0.89) or long (24h) (P₂= 0.92).
Sperm precedence in eggs laid in a 16-day period after the last copulation showed no difference in the pattern of change between females with short and long remating intervals.
By examining the aedeagus of males we show that sperm are removed at the end of copulation by the first and the second male to mate with a virgin female regardless of whether the remating interval is short or long.
We conclude that sperm removal is unlikely to be the primary mechanism by which males gain such high levels of last male sperm precedence.     

黄粉虫抗菌肽Tenecin蛋白的纯化及其抑菌活性研究

目的 纯化黄粉虫抗菌肽Tenecin蛋白,并检测其抑菌活性.方法用1 mmol/L IPTG大量诱导表达Tenecin蛋白,纯化后检测其抑菌活性,包括金黄色葡萄球菌（Staphylococcus aureus）ATCC 29213,大肠埃希菌（Escherichia coli）ATCC 25922,白色念珠菌（Candida albicans）ATCC 10231和痢疾志贺氏菌（Shigella dysenteriae）CMCC 51252等4种标准菌.结果 SDS-PAGE电泳检测表明已获得纯化的Tenecin蛋白;体外抑菌试验结果表明,浓度为120、60、30、15 μg/ml的Tenecin与4种标准菌共培养18 h后,对金黄色葡萄球菌的抑制作用最强,而对白色念珠菌的抑制作用最弱.对同一菌种而言,浓度为60和30 μg/ml两组间无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,而其他各浓度的组间均有显著性差异（P＜0.01）;对同一浓度的Tenecin而言,其对白色念珠菌和痢疾志贺氏菌的抑菌效果组间无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,其余各组之间均有显著性差异（P＜0.01）.结论 获得的Tenecin蛋白可明显抑制病原菌,为进一步研究其抑菌机理和后期研发奠定了基础.     

Periodic muscular activity and its possible functions in pupae of Tenebrio molitor

Abstract. During pupal development, Tenebrio molitor L. show regular periods of rhythmic muscular contractions and associated body movements. These periods of activity last 2.5-5.8 min and are more frequent in newly ecdysed pupae ( c. 3h^-1). They become less frequent ( c. 1.5 h^-1) when the basal metabolism reaches its lowest level. In the pharate adult stage the clear pattern of muscular activity disappears.
Muscular activity is temperature-dependent and is commonly absent below 20C. Muscular activity did not disturb the cyclic output of CO₂, which is characteristic of metamorphosis. The heart shows characteristic periods (1–3 min) of activity during pupal development. The frequency of these heart pulsation periods depends on metabolic rate. Heart pumping was correlated mostly with muscular contractions. Therefore we suggest that the main physiological function of muscular activity is to support circulation.     

黄粉虫抗菌肽的提取及其生化特性的研究

【目的】测定黄粉虫Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus幼虫抗菌肽提取液的浓度、抑菌活性及其部分生化特性和凝血效应。【方法】本实验用浓度为1×108 CFU/m L大肠杆菌Escherichia coli诱导5龄黄粉虫幼虫,分别在诱导12、24、36、48、60和72 h后提取其中的抗菌肽,并用考马斯亮兰法测定抗菌肽粗提液蛋白的浓度,并用滤纸片法测定其抑菌活性,同时对其热稳定性、反复冻融稳定性、蛋白酶稳定性及不同p H对其活性的影响等生化特性及凝血效应进行了探究。【结果】经大肠杆菌诱导的黄粉虫抗菌肽粗提液的蛋白浓度均显著高于未诱导的黄粉虫组(P<0.01),且在诱导48 h时产生的抗菌肽提取液蛋白的浓度最高,产生的抑菌圈直径也显著高于未诱导的黄粉虫组(P<0.05),生化特性的测定结果显示,黄粉虫抗菌肽有较好的热稳定性、酶稳定性及酸碱稳定性,反复冻溶后对其抑菌活性影响不大,并且无凝血效应。【结论】大肠杆菌可以刺激黄粉虫的免疫系统,增加抗菌肽的表达量,使其产生浓度高、活性强的抗菌肽,且生化特性较稳定。本研究对黄粉虫抗菌肽作为绿色抗生素用于畜牧养殖业的进一步开发与利用提供了科学的理论依据。     

黄粉甲幼虫抗菌物质的诱导及其抗菌活性

采用饥饿法、紫外线照射法和针刺法处理黄粉甲Tenebriomolitor 6龄幼虫后均能诱导其 产生抗菌物质,收集的血淋巴上清液对真菌有抑制作用,对细菌无抑制作用;经热处理后的血 淋巴上清液则对细菌有抑制作用,而对真菌无抑制作用。SDS-PAGE检测结果发现,与未诱导的 对照相比经诱导的黄粉甲幼虫血淋巴中,原有的一类大分子蛋白质如分子量分别为97kD、44 kD和37 kD左右的蛋白质缺失;而ESI-MS分析结果显示诱导后比诱导前黄粉甲幼虫血淋巴中有 小分子物质产生,推测可能是此类缺失蛋白质分解为小分子量的抗菌肽,从而表现出抗菌活性 。     

Effects of processing methods on nutritional composition and antioxidant activity of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae

We examined the effects of different processing methods on the nutritional composition and antioxidant activity of mealworms. After processing with nine methods, we calculated the contents of protein, fat, ash, carbohydrate, minerals (P, Ca, K, Fe, Na), vitamin B group (B₁, B₂, B₃), moisture, and calories. When processed by freeze drying among freeze drying, hot air drying, oven broiling, roasting, pan frying, deep frying, boiling, steaming, and microwaving, the contents of protein, some minerals, and vitamins were the highest. The content of total minerals was lowest after deep frying, and those of vitamin B₁ and B₃ were the lowest after microwaving. Antioxidant activity was then evaluated using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. DPPH assays showed that microwaving, freeze drying, deep frying, steaming, boiling, and oven broiling of mealworms yielded scavenging activities of 20.9–29.0% at 2,000 μg/mL, which was similar to the activity level (22.7–33.2%) of 40–60 μM tocopherol. ABTS assays confirmed that only freeze‐dried mealworms at 2,000 μg/mL exhibited higher activity than 10 μM tocopherol. Interestingly, similar trends were found for antioxidant activity levels and total phenolic contents in mealworms.     

基于转录组数据高通量发掘黄粉甲微卫星引物（英文）

黄粉虫Tenebrio molitor作为理想的模式研究生物, 虽然已围绕该昆虫在多个研究领域开展了诸多研究, 但是有关其分子和遗传方面的研究仍知之甚少。为此, 本研究基于前期构建的黄粉甲转录组数据库, 成功发掘获得1 249个微卫星序列。其中, 单碱基或三碱基序重复列最多, 分别占44.44%和41.15%; A/T型重复序列出现频率最高, 占42.70%。除单核苷酸重复序列外, 重复单元的重复次数以5次最多, 占30.90%。基于鉴定获得的微卫星序列, 共设计获得1 004对微卫星引物, 而且每对引物还设计了5对替代引物。研究获得的微卫星引物将有助于今后开展黄粉甲功能和比较基因组学方面的研究。     

Digestive peptidases in Tenebrio molitor and possibility of use to treat celiac disease

Digestion in Tenebrio molitor larvae occurs in the midgut, where there is a sharp pH gradient from 5.6 in the anterior midgut (AM) to 7.9 in the posterior midgut (PM). Accordingly, digestive enzymes are compartmentalized to the AM or PM. Enzymes in the AM are soluble and have acidic or neutral pH optima, while PM enzymes have alkaline pH optima. The main peptidases in the AM are cysteine endopeptidases presented by two to six subfractions of anionic proteins. The major activity belongs to cathepsin L, which has been purified and characterized. Serine post‐proline cleaving peptidase with pH optimum 5.3 was also found in the AM. Typical serine digestive endopeptidases, trypsin‐like and chymotrypsin‐like, are compartmentalized to the PM. Trypsin‐like activity is due to one cationic and three anionic proteinases. Chymotrypsin‐like activity consists of one cationic and four anionic proteinases, four with an extended binding site. The major cationic trypsin and chymotrypsin have been purified and thoroughly characterized. The predicted amino acid sequences are available for purified cathepsin L, trypsin and chymotrypsin. Additional sequences for putative digestive cathepsins L, trypsins and chymotrypsins are available, implying multigene families for these enzymes. Exopeptidases are found in the PM and are presented by a single membrane aminopeptidase N‐like peptidase and carboxypeptidase A, although multiple cDNAs for carboxypeptidase A were found in the AM, but not in the PM. The possibility of the use of two endopeptidases from the AM – cathepsin L and post‐proline cleaving peptidase – in the treatment of celiac disease is discussed.     

Enantiomerization and Enantioselective Bioaccumulation of Metalaxyl in Tenebrio molitor Larvae

The enantiomerization and enantioselective bioaccumulation of metalaxyl by a single dose of exposure to Tenebrio molitor larvae under laboratory condition were studied by high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy (HPLC‐MS/MS) based on a ChiralcelOD‐3R [cellulosetris‐tris‐(3, 5‐dichlorophenyl‐carbamate)] column. Exposure of enantiopure R‐metalaxyl and S‐metalaxyl in Tenebrio molitor larvae exhibited significant enantiomerization, with formation of the R enantiomers from the S enantiomers, and vice versa, which might be attributed to the chiral pesticide catalyzed by a certain enzyme in Tenebrio molitor larvae. Enantiomerization was not observed in wheat bran during the period of 21 d. In addition, bioaccumulation of rac‐metalaxyl in Tenebrio molitor larvae was enantioselective with a preferential accumulation of S‐metalaxyl. These results showed that enantioselectivity was caused not only by actual degradation and metabolism but also by enantiomerization, which was an important process in the environmental fate and behavior of metalaxyl enantiomers. Chirality 26:88–94, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

黄粉虫及其肠道微生物对聚氯乙烯的生物降解作用

【背景】塑料废物的累积是越来越严重的环境污染问题,其中聚氯乙烯(polyvinyl chloride,PVC)作为最常用的塑料之一,其生产与消耗量极大。【目的】基于黄粉虫(Tenebriomolitor)幼虫自然取食塑料的现象,探究黄粉虫及其肠道微生物对聚氯乙烯类塑料的生物降解作用。【方法】通过观测黄粉虫取食聚氯乙烯过程的重量变化、傅里叶变换红外光谱(fouriertransforminfrared spectroscopy,FTIR)、黄粉虫肠道微生物的筛选和高通量测序等方法研究黄粉虫幼虫及其肠道微生物对聚氯乙烯的降解作用。【结果】研究结果表明:仅以PVC作为碳源类营养来源,每200条黄粉虫为一组,共3组,喂养32d后,每组平均取食了0.499±0.023gPVC,黄粉虫平均体重增长0.015±0.002 g。采用傅里叶变换红外光谱检测发现虫粪组分中PVC官能团中的C-C骨架峰明显减弱,表明PVC长链有断裂现象。高通量测序黄粉虫幼虫肠道微生物菌群的结果显示肠道菌群以哈夫尼菌属(Hafnia)、摩根氏菌属(Morganella)、大肠埃希氏杆菌属(Escherichia coli)和未...     

黄粉虫防御性分泌物抑菌活性的研究

目的:研究黄粉虫防御性分泌物的化学成分及其抑菌活性。方法:用二氯甲烷萃取分泌物并经GC/MS分析,后用牛津杯法和平板连续稀释法分别就该分泌物对大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、白色假丝酵母、黑曲霉、桔青霉的抑菌作用及2-甲基对苯醌和对甲酚标准品对上述供试菌的最低抑菌浓度进行测定和比较。结果:分泌物含2-甲基对苯醌、对甲酚和正二十三烷等7种成分,抑菌强度:桔青霉>大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌>白色假丝酵母>黑曲霉。结论:该分泌物对这5种供试菌的抑制效果优于2-甲基对苯醌和对甲酚标准品。     

黄粉虫幼虫小分子量抗茵肽的分离纯化

昆虫抗菌肽具有良好的抑菌效果,有望开发成新一代抗生素。本文以金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠杆菌混合液作为诱导源,采用针刺法使黄粉虫TenebriomolitorL．幼虫感染微生物产生抗菌肽,并对抗菌肽进行了提取、色谱分离纯化及抑菌活性检测。结果显示,诱导组和对照组的三氟乙酸粗提物无抑菌活性;经SephadexG50、SuperdexPeptide凝胶色谱分离后,从诱导组和对照组均可获得对革兰氏阳性菌金黄色葡萄球菌、枯草芽孢杆菌有抑菌作用的组分,而且诱导组活性明显高于对照组;通过Resource15RPC反相色谱分离纯化,从诱导组获得一具有明显抑制革兰氏阳性菌的组分,质谱检测该组分为混合肽,主要由分子量为1876．21u、1904．21u的小肽组成,可能是一种比Thanatin分子量更低的昆虫抗菌肽。     

Fine Structure of the Hemopoietic Tissues in the Mealworm Beetle, Tenebrio molitor

The fine structure of the hemopoietic tissue and its detailed reticular organization in the mealworm beetle, T. molitor were examined using light and scanning electron microscopes. The major hemopoietic tissues in the abdomen were located on the upper surface of the dorsal diaphragm which continuous over the ventral wall of the heart. Histologic characteristics of this hemopoietic tissues are dense clusters of cells. They are irregular in outline and are not surrounded by any connective tissue sheath. The hemopoietic tissue of this insect is consisted of three cellular components which are the reticular cells, hemocytic stem cells and several kinds of mature hemocytes. The reticular cells had numerous cytoplasmic processes and forming a complex network. The stem cells give rise to differentiating hemocytes of the different cell lineages. Mature hemocytes within this hemopoietic tissue are originated from the stem cells and differentiated into several types of hemocytes including prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, and granulocytes.     

黄粉虫幼虫体壁硬化过程中酚氧化酶活性的变化

为研究酚氧化酶(PO)在昆虫蜕皮过程中的功能和作用, 采用微量测定法研究了黄粉虫Tenebrio molitor体壁硬化过程中血淋巴和表皮中的PO活性变化。结果表明：初蜕皮幼虫血淋巴中PO活性较高, 但随着体壁的不断黑化与硬化, 其活性呈现下降趋势, 在3～4 h内达到最低点, 而后PO活性逐渐上升, 7 h左右活性上升至最高, 并接近于正常幼虫的水平;在刚蜕完皮后的1 h内, 体壁中 PO活性基本无变化, 但随后即开始下降, 3 h左右降到最低点, 然后开始回升, 6~7 h左右恢复到正常水平, 并趋于稳定;以L-DOPA为底物, 通过双倒数曲线作图法求得黄粉虫血淋巴PO的Km＝1.176 mmol/L, 体壁PO的Km＝0.881 mmol/L, 表明体壁PO与底物L-DOPA的亲和力要高于血淋巴PO。研究表明两种来源的酚氧化酶均参与了黄粉虫幼虫的体壁硬化过程, 但在作用方式及与底物的亲和力方面存在差异。     

Extraction of chitin and chitosan from larval exuvium and whole body of edible mealworm,Tenebrio molitor

The purpose of this study was to investigate the production of chitin and chitosan from both the exuvium and whole body of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae. Chitin from the exuvium and whole body of T. molitor larvae was chemically extracted with acid and alkali solutions to achieve demineralization (DM) and deproteinization (DP), respectively. The average DM (%) and DP (%) on a dry weight (DW) basis was 32.56 and 73.16% from larval exuvium, and 41.68 and 91.53% from whole body, respectively. To obtain chitosan, chitin particles from the exuvium and whole body of T. molitor larva were heated at various temperatures in different concentrations of NaOH. Average chitin yields were 18.01% and 4.92% of DW from the exuvium and whole body, respectively. The relative average yield of chitosan from whole body was 3.65% of DW. On average, over 90% of chitosan derived from whole body was deacetylated. The viscosity of chitosan from whole body was ranged from 48.0 cP to 54.0 cP. The chitin content of dry and wet byproducts from whole body were 17.32% and 16.94% respectively, compared to dry weight. The chitosan contents of byproducts on a DW basis were 14.48% in dry and 13.07% in wet byproduct. These results indicate that the exuvium and whole body of T. molitor larva may serve as a source of chitin and chitosan for use in domestic animal feed.