Immune response in insects: The role of phenoloxidase in defense reactions in relation to melanization and sclerotization

It is well known that activated prophenoloxidase (proPO) plays an important role in cuticular melanization and sclerotization. In addition, studies dealing with immune response of insects suggest that phenoloxidase (PO) is also critical in the defense reactions of insects against invaders. proPO is activated by elicitors derived from microbial cell wall components such as peptidoglycan, β-1,3-glucan, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). According to our recent studies we proposed a model clarifying the role of PO in both cellular and humoral immune responses. LPS triggers Ceratitis capitata hemocytes via induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation to release biologically active molecules, including p47 and proPO-activators. Furthermore, hemocytes in response to LPS facilitate clearance of LPS from the hemocoel of medfly. The effector molecules involved in the LPS clearance are hemocyte surface-associated p47 (mp47), soluble p47 (sp47), activated proPO, and tyrosine. A similar LPS clearance system in the integument of medfly in vitro was also demonstrated. According to our data, the proposed mechanism for LPS clearance from hemocoel and from integument is the crosslinking of LPS to p47 or certain integumental proteins via the intermediacy of reactive tyrosine derivatives generated by PO activity, as is the case for cuticular protein-chitin crosslinks during sclerotization. We also demonstrated that metabolites of the eumelanin biosynthesis and not melanin itself or N-acetyldopamine (NADA), the key precursor of sclerotizing agent, were necessary for the immune responses by hemocytes and integument. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Fine structure of the dogfish egg case: A unique collagenous material

The fine structure of the dogfish egg case is described with special reference to the highly ordered, unique, collagen-containing fibrils. The outer layer of the case wall contains densely packed, amorphous granules, rich in tyrosine while approximately 98% of the thickness of the case is built up from orthogonally stacked laminae of closely packed, collagen-containing fibrils. These fibrils show a paracrystalline three-dimensional construction. A model for the structure of the B band of the fibril is proposed, based on appearances in transverse sections of different thickness and on two projections seen in longitudinal sections. The transverse projection of the unit cell appears to be a square lattice with sides approximately 110 Å possibly containing a pseudocell with sides $\text{110}\text{4}$ Å. The structure of these fibrils is discussed in relation to those of rat tail tendon collagen.     

Tyrosine and catecholamine metabolism in wild-type Drosophila melanogaster and a mutant, ebony

Microinjection of radioactive tyrosine, dopa, and dopamine into mature larvae of Drosophila revealed that the sclerotization pathway is similar but not identical to that in Calliphora: (a) tyrosine is converted to tyrosine-o-phosphate and not to dopa, and (b) the substrate N-acetyldopamine does not accumulate.Larvae of the mutant ebony appear to be similar to the wild type with respect to tyrosine, dopa, and dopamine utilization. About the time of eclosion, however, ebony has twice as much dopamine as normal. Some implications of this are discussed with reference to the mutant phenotype.     

The appearance of dopa decarboxylase activity in imaginal discs of Sarcophaga bullata, undergoing development in vitro

During the postembryonic development of Sarcophaga bullata, two large peaks of dopa decarboxylase activity were observed. These were associated with the sclerotization (hardening) of the puparium and the adult cuticle, respectively. A small peak of activity 5.5–6.5 days after pupariation was possibly associated with the sclerotization of the prothoracic spiracles.A premature increase in enzyme activity was observed in young, third-instar larvae injected with 20 μg of β-ecdysone. However, the advantage of studying the effect of the hormone on enzyme activity in vitro led to an attempt to induce² dopa decarboxylase in cultured wing discs.In the presence of β-ecdysone, wing discs underwent evagination and a substantial increase in dopa decarboxylase activity was observed in these discs. The enzyme activity began to appear after the rupture of the peripodial membrane and reached a maximum about the time disc evagination ceased. We suggest that this enzyme activity was responsible for the slight sclerotization of a fine cuticle secreted by the discs. The cultured imaginal discs underwent changes that are very similar to those which occur in intact animals. Therefore, this system appears promising for further studies on the role in differentiation of the hormonal control of enzyme activity.     

Sclerotization of insect cuticle: A new method for studying the ratio of quinone and β-sclerotization

Sclerotized cuticle upon hydrolysis yields conventional amino acids, ketocatechols and/or aryl amino acid adduct(s) depending on the mode of sclerotization. In the absence of structural details of the bridged hydrolysis products, the two modes of sclerotization have been assessed by differential labelling and chromatography. Insect cuticle labelled with either DOPA or tyrosine was hydrolyzed and chromatographed on dihydroxyboryl cellulose and Dowex 50 columns. Dihydroxyboryl cellulose specifically and quantitatively retained all catechols, while Dowex 50 separated basic aryl amino acid adduct(s) from amino acids. Hydrolysates of cuticles labelled with DOPA were resolved into non-catecholic and catecholic fractions; the ratio of radioactivity present in these two fractions reflected the ratio of quinone tanning and β-sclerotization. However, cuticle labelled with tyrosine required additional chromatography of the non-catecholic fraction on Dowex 50 to determine this ratio.     

Role of mRNA 5'-terminal caps in translational dormancy of Physarum polycephalum

Translational regulation of protein synthesis accompanies sclerotization in Physarum polycephalum. Plasmodial and sclerotial poly(A)+ RNA were translated in a message-dependent wheat germ lysate in the presence of the cap analogue 7-methylguanosine-triphosphate to determine whether 5' structural alterations in mRNA accompany translational repression. The translation of plasmodial and sclerotial poly(A)+ RNA was reduced to identical levels suggesting that both RNA populations are capped. The 5'-termini of plasmodial and sclerotial poly(A)+ RNA were identified as m7G5'ppp5'Cm. Alterations in the 5'-cap of mRNA during sclerotization do not appear to be responsible for translational dormancy.     

Tyrosine metabolism for insect cuticle tanning

Insects have become one of the most successful animal groups in diversity and numbers through the development of a multifunctional exoskeleton and skin, which must be shed periodically in order for them to grow and develop into adults. The evolutionary choice of certain structural materials for the assembly and stabilization of a cuticle with remarkable mechanical and chemical properties has allowed insects to invade terrestrial environments and to evolve flight mechanics for dispersion relatively early in geological history. Diphenolic compounds derived from tyrosine play a central role in sclerotization or tanning of the new cuticle. The phenolic amino acid is stored during larval feeding, and it is mobilized for the production of both structural proteins and diphenolic tanning precursors that are transported into the cuticle. The latter compounds permeate the cuticle and serve as precursors for quinonoid derivatives that both sclerotize and pigment the exoskeleton. This report focuses on how tyrosine and derived diphenolic structures are stored as inactive molecules in preecdysial stages, and how they are released and metabolized to tanning chemicals that stabilize the new cuticle.     

Interaction of collagen with hydrophobic protein granules in the egg capsule of the dogfish scyliorhinus canicula

The egg capsule of the dogfish is a composite material containing collagenous fibrils and 2 mum spherical hydrophobic protein granules. The latter appear to owe much of their hydrophobicity to an exceptionally high tyrosine content (approximately 20% of total amino acid residues). The hydrophobic component appears to form as an emulsion in the secretory granules of the D and E zone gland cells of the nidamental gland. Droplets of the hydrophobic material appear to become coated with remarkably regular layers of radially-arranged collagen molecules which form a series of concentric, evenly spaced layers around each hydrophobic granule. Numerous disclinations were seen where the layers around adjacent granules interfered with one another. The layers are thought to represent a lamellar liquid crystalline phase previously described for this collagen (Knight et al., 1993). The fine structural appearance of the concentric layers and evidence for radial arrangement of collagen molecules within them is compatible with the suggestion that the layers are built from a dumbbell-shaped unit approximately 35 nm long with hydrophobic groups concentrated at the ends. This unit may represent a dumbbell-shaped molecule or an oligomer of two or more molecules lying parallel with one another in a head-to-tail arrangement. Such a unit can be readily incorporated into models for the micellar, hexagonal columnar and final fibrillar phases previously described for this collagen (Knight et al., 1993). Evidence from the TEM study of stretched egg capsule wall suggests that there is a mechanical interaction between the hydrophobic granules and the collagen fibrils in the fully formed material. We suggest that the radial, concentric layered arrangement of collagen molecules is established by hydrophobic interactions within the liquid crystalline material and locked into place by oxidative covalent cross-linking to give a 3-dimensional cross-linked meshwork of collagen fibrils and hydrophobic granules. The latter arrangement helps to account for the high tensilestrength and toughness of this material.     

灰飞虱Bursicon基因的克隆、序列分析及在不同发育阶段的表达

Bursicon是通过G蛋白受体调节昆虫表皮硬化及展翅的功能蛋白, 它在昆虫蜕皮后的表皮硬化过程中起着关键作用。为探讨灰飞虱Laodelphax striatellus的 bursicon的功能, 利用RT-PCR和RACE技术克隆获得1 126 bp的bursicon α和761 bp的bursicon β全长序列, 将其分别命名为Lsburs-α和Lsburs-β。生物信息学分析表明： Lsburs-α开放阅读框长483 bp, 编码160个氨基酸, 该蛋白具有2个N-豆蔻酰化位点、 3个酪蛋白激酶Ⅱ磷酸化位点以及2个蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点。Lsburs-β开放阅读框长417 bp, 编码138个氨基酸, 该蛋白具有2个N-豆蔻酰化位点、 3个酪蛋白激酶Ⅱ磷酸化位点以及1个酪氨酸激酶磷酸化位点。qRT-PCR结果表明： Lsburs-α和Lsburs-β在灰飞虱各龄期均有转录表达, 并在若虫期随龄期增加呈上升趋势, 在羽化期达到峰值, 成虫期表达量逐渐降低。结果提示bursicon与灰飞虱蜕皮后的外表皮硬化关系密切。本文结果为深入研究bursicon的功能、受体调节和信号通路等奠定了基础。     

昆虫鞣化激素研究进展

鞣化激素是调控昆虫体壁黑化及翅伸展的一类激素, 是由BURS和PBURS两个亚基组成的一种异源二聚体蛋白质。BURS和PBURS亚基在结构及其进化上相对较为保守, 氨基酸序列中均含有11个半胱氨酸残基。鞣化激素主要是在胸腹神经节中合成的, 一旦释放到血淋巴就与其受体LGR2结合进而激活cAMP/PKA信号, 从而促进酪氨酸羟化酶(tyrosine hydroxylase, TH)的磷酸化。活化后的TH将酪氨酸(tyrosine)转变为多巴（DOPA）, 引起昆虫表皮鞣化。同时, cAMP/PKA信号也引起翅真皮细胞凋亡从而促进翅的伸展。除了鞣化激素异聚体调控表皮鞣化及翅的伸展外, BURS亚基或PBURS亚基组成的同源二聚体经IMD路径, 激活转录因子Relish调控昆虫的免疫反应。本文就鞣化激素分子结构特性、 作用机制及功能等方面的研究进展进行了综述, 旨在为进一步研究昆虫鞣化激素提供借鉴和参考。     

Eggshell fine structure of three lepidopteran pests: Cydia pomonella (L.) (Tortricidae), Heliothis virescens (Fabr.), and Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Noctuidae)

The eggshells of 3 moths, Cydia pomonella (Tortricidae), Heliothis virescens, and Spodoptera littoralis (Noctuidae) were investigated by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. The surface of the noctuid eggs shows structural elements (micropylar rosette, ribs, cross-ribs, and aeropyles) and regional differentiation, all typical of Lepidoptera. The egg of C. pomonella shows a different regional morphology due to its watch-glass shape and its position, lying on the flank. The micropylar structures are on the lower egg face in contact with the substrate. For S. littoralis, the surface structure (sculpturing) of the egg is not species-specific, being indistinguishable from that of S. frugiperda (Salkeld, 1984).In all 3 moths, the eggshell fine structure is basically identical, as revealed by TEM. Both the vitelline envelope and the chorion consist of several distinct layers. The vitelline envelope, bi-layered and several μm thick, undergoes a marked structural change when embryogenesis begins. At the same time, Golgi vesicles bearing dense particles, appear in the periplasm of the egg cell in fertilized eggs of H. virescens and S. littoralis. The chorion of all 3 species consists of a basal layer (C-1), a cavity layer (C-2) supported by trabecles and opening to the exterior via aeropylar canals, and a lamellar layer (C-3), which probably consists of helicoidally arranged stacks of fibrils. In H. virescens and S. littoralis, an additional epicuticle-like layer (C-4) is present. Available data from the literature are summarized and a basic scheme of the radial eggshell fine structure of ditrysian Lepidoptera is proposed.     

Structural lipids in the insect cuticle and the function of the oenocytes

Stabilized lipid (cuticulin), combined with protein, serves to stiffen the cuticle before sclerotization occurs. It is always present in large amounts in exocuticle that will later be tanned to form sclerotin. It is plentiful also in the untanned mesocuticle, including the tracheal taenidia, as well as pore canals, egg shell and spermatophore sheath. Stabilized lipid present in small amounts between the laminae of the endocuticle may perhaps be concerned in reversible stiffening and plasticisation. The oenocytes appear to be the source of the precursors for cuticulin formation in both larva and reproducing adult.     

Morphology of dry-resistant eggs in parthenogenetic Heterocypris incongruens (Ramdohr, 1808) (Ostracoda, Crustacea)

It has been known that many organisms evolved to survive in temporary or ephemeral inland waters. Many of them have dry-resistant eggs against desiccation. The structural feature of egg shell is important because only this will ensure to survive the dry period. Structural features of egg shell in the parthenogenetic Heterocypris incongruens (Ramdohr, 1808) was investigated by scanning electron microscope. Results showed that egg shell structure consists of two distinct layers; an outer layer with holes or alveoli and an inner layer consisting of two dense sublayers. Also, structural similarities in egg-shell of H. incongruens and some other crustaceans which combat desiccation problem will be discussed.     

Involvement of tyrosine residues, N-terminal amino acids, and beta-alanine in insect cuticular sclerotization

During sclerotization of insect cuticle the acyldopamines, N-acetyldopamine (NADA) and N-beta-alanyldopamine (NBAD), are oxidatively incorporated into the cuticular matrix, thereby hardening and stabilizing the material by forming crosslinks between the proteins in the cuticular matrix and by forming polymers filling the intermolecular spaces in the cuticle. Sclerotized cuticle from the locust, Schistocerca gregaria, and the beetle, Tenebrio molitor, was hydrolyzed in dilute hydrochloric acid, and from the hydrolysates some components presumably degradation products of cuticular crosslinks were isolated. In two of the components, the sidechain of 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone was linked to the amino groups of glycine and beta-alanine, respectively, and in the third component to the phenolic group of tyrosine. These three compounds, glycino-dihydroxyacetophenone, beta-alanino-dihydroxyacetophenone, and O-tyrosino-dihydroxyacetophenone, as well as the previously reported compound, lysino-dihydroxyacetophenone [Andersen, S.O., Roepstorff, P., 2007. Aspects of cuticular sclerotization in the locust, Schistocerca gregaria, and the beetle, Tenebrio molitor. Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 37, 223-234], are suggested to be degradation products of cuticular crosslinks, in which amino acid residues formed linkages to both the alpha- and beta-positions of the sidechain of acyldopamines.     

Cortical differentiation of the animal pole during maturation division in fertilized eggs of Tubifex (Annelida,Oligochaeta): I. Meiotic apparatus formation

The fine structure of the animal pole cortex is examined in the fertilized Tubifex egg undergoing the formation of the second meiotic apparatus (MA). The fully formed MA which orients its axis at right angles to the surface is found at the animal pole about 40 min after formation of the first polar body. It is composed of a spindle and asters at its poles; a centriole is found in the inner aster, but not in the peripheral aster adjacent to the surface. During the formation of the MA, the animal pole surface is lined with a 0.15-μm-thick, electron-dense cortical layer, which is rich in microfilaments. The arrangement of the filaments in the layer changes from a parallel array to a meshwork with progressive formation of the MA. Microtubules of the peripheral aster terminate in the cortical layer. When a jet stream of glycerol/dimethyl sulfoxide solution is applied to an egg fragment glued on a polylysine-coated coverslip, an egg cortex-MA complex is isolated on the coverslip; the MA appears to be tethered to the egg surface by the structural connection between the filamentous cortical layer and microtubules of the peripheral aster. Cytochalasin B (50 μg/ml), when administrated at early phase of the MA formation, does not show any effect on the structure of the cortical layer and the MA; however, if eggs shortly before the termination of the first polar body formation are immersed in the same test solution, the cortical layer of the animal pole becomes thinner, and the filamentous material is not observed in it. Furthermore, in these eggs, the peripheral aster and the spindle are not structurally discernible because of the suppression of microtubule assembly, whereas microtubules on kinetochores and in the inner aster are normally developed. These results are discussed in relation to the role of the animal pole cortex in fixing of the MA to the egg surface and in forming of the MA.     

Hatching of an estuarine crab, Sesarma haematocheir: from disappearance of the inner (E3) layer to rupture of the egg case

Hatching of decapod crustaceans is characterized by the sudden rupture of the egg case. This study focused on the following two issues regarding the hatching mechanism of the estuarine terrestrial crab Sesarma haematocheir: (1) dissolution of the egg case, and (2) the site where the egg case breaks. The egg case comprises three layers: the outer two (E1 and E2) layers and the inner (E3) thin layer (0.2 microm in thickness). The outer layers showed no morphological changes upon hatching, but the inner layer (E3) was markedly digested. The digestion of this layer would enable the embryo to absorb ambient water via reverse peristalsis of the intestine, resulting in an increase of the volume. The egg case always ruptured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the embryo. In addition, breakage of the egg case occurred at the dorsal thorax of the embryo. The three major organs positioned at this area were (1) a sharp projection (dorsal spine), (2) an assemblage of muscles, and (3) a pair of secretory glands, each of which was about 30 microm in diameter. The dorsal projection is soft before hatching, and it is clear that the egg case does not break with the posterior expansion of this projection. The rupture instead appears to be caused by the expansion of the muscles arranged perpendicular to the body axis. In addition, some (unknown) factor might weaken the egg case just before hatching. The secretory glands may be a kind of rosette gland, but the role that this gland plays at hatching is not known. As a duct comes out from the center and enters the dorsal projection, some active substance may be released at the tip of this projection. However, immunochemical studies are not consistent with this substance being an ovigerous hair stripping substance (OHSS).     

The innermost chorionic layer of Drosophila. I. The role of chorin octamers in the formation of a family of interdigitating crystalline plates

The innermost chorionic layer (ICL) within egg shells of Drosophila melanogaster is composed of thin, abutting three-dimensional crystalline plates which form a closed, membrane-like sheath. Collectively, the crystals within the sheath appear to form a family of related three-dimensional crystals in space group C222; however, specimens prepared for electron microscopy are actually two-dimensional crystals in c222. The projected structures of the negatively stained crystals have been studied by minimal dose electron microscopy employing image reconstruction methods. Thin sections indicate that unit cells within the ICL are composed of paired layers; top and bottom layers are related by centrally located 2-fold axes, aligned parallel to the surface of the ICL. The most probable structural unit of the crystals is a tetramer of chorin dimers with a point group symmetry of 222, which is denoted a chorin octamer. Projection maps were computed from average transforms of two-dimensional crystals for delta (the primitive unit cell angle) equal to 84 degrees, 90 degrees and 97 degrees (+/- 1.5 degrees). The maps indicate that the molecular transitions responsible for the observed family of crystals involve concerted intramolecular rearrangements about molecular 2-fold axes. The significance in vivo of the family of crystals within the ICL is not known; however, structural considerations suggest that the observed polymorphism may reflect one facet of an intrinsic bonding flexibility of the ICL octamer that may play a role in the formation of interplate junctions and the assembly of a continuous closed sheath. The ICL may therefore serve as a structural bridge between the vitelline membrane-wax layer and the endochondrial floor, allowing the larva to shed the inner egg shell layers during hatching.     

Fine Structure of the Envelope and Micropyles in the Eggs of the White Sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus Richardson

The structure of the egg envelope and micropyles of the white sturgeon was examined with light and electron microscopy. The mature ovum is 3.5–4.0 mm in diameter and is covered by a thick envelope (50 μm) that consists of four distinct layers. The outermost layer, L4, is electron dense and amorphous. Interior to this is layer three (L3), containing numerous pores, or ductules. Layer two (L2) contains screwlike projections that anchor L3 and L4 to the egg. The innermost layer, L1, is closely apposed to the oolemma. Numerous micropyles (average 7) are restricted to a 100–200 μm region at the animal pole and penetrate the egg envelope. The outer opening of these rnicropyles measures 15 μm in diameter. The micropylar canal tapers twice, eventually terminating at the oolemma with an inner opening diameter of 1.2 μm. The micropyles of the white sturgeon egg appear more complex than micropyles in other fish eggs.