Sequence-induced curvature of Tenebrio molitor satellite DNA

Single satellite DNA constitutes about 50% of the Tenebrio molitor genome. Electrophoresis of 142 base pair long satellite monomers on nondenaturating polyacrylamide gel shows retarded mobility, a characteristic of fragments with sequence-induced DNA curvature. Migrational analysis of circularly permuted satellite monomers revealed the existence of 2 bend centers in the monomer sequence. We calculated the trajectory of DNA helix axis according to the algorithm of De Santis et al. This model predicts that T molitor naked satellite DNA forms a solenoid structure with left-handed superhelix. One turn of the superhelix has approximately 310 base pairs and a 33 nm pitch. Point mutations found in the satellite DNA (1.8%) influence bending characteristics, but do not distort the general geometry of satellite superhelix.     

Detection of satellite DNA in Palorus ratzeburgii: Analysis of curvature profiles and comparison with Tenebrio molitor satellite DNA

Very abundant and homogenous satellite DNA has been found in the flour beetle Palorus ratzeburgii, representing 40% of its genome. Sequencing of 14 randomly cloned satelite monomers revealed a conserved monomer length of 142 bp and an average A+T content of 68%. Sequence variation analysis showed that base substitutions, appearing with a frequency of 2.3%, are predominant differences among satellite monomers. The satellite sequence is unique without significant direct repeats and with only two potentially stable inverted repeats. After electrophoresis of satellite monomers on native polyacrylamide gel retarded mobilities characteristic for curved DNA molecules are observed. The curvature profiles and DNA helix axis trajectory are calculated on the basis of three different algorithms. These calculations predict that P ratzeburgii satellite DNA forms a left-handed solenoid superstructure. Comparison of described features with other satellite DNAs reveals some striking similarities with satellite DNA from related species Tenebrio molitor, which belongs to the same family of Tenebrionidae. Both satellites are very abundant and homogenous with the same, highly conserved monomer length, although there is no homology at the nucleotide level. Their monomers, as well as multimers, exhibit very similar retarded electrophoretic mobilities. The calculated curvature profiles predict two bend centers in monomers of each satellite, resulting in a model of left-handed solenoid superstructures of similar appearance.     

Evidence for random distribution of sequence variants in Tenebrio molitor satellite DNA.

Tenebrio molitor satellite DNA has been analysed in order to study sequential organization of tandemly repeated monomers, i.e. to see whether different monomer variants are distributed randomly over the whole satellite, or clustered locally. Analysed sequence variants are products of single base substitutions in a consensus satellite sequence, producing additional restriction sites. The ladder of satellite multimers obtained after digestion with restriction enzymes was compared with theoretical calculations and revealed the distribution pattern of particular monomer variants within the satellite. A defined higher order repeating structure, indicating the existence of satellite subfamilies, could not be observed. Our results show that some sequence variants are very abundant, being present in nearly 50% of the monomers, while others are very rare (0-1% of monomers). However, the distribution of either very frequent, or very rare sequence variants in T. molitor satellite DNA is always random. Monomer variants are randomly distributed in the total satellite DNA and thus spread across all chromosomes, indicating a relatively high rate of sequence homogenization among different chromosomes. Such a distribution of monomer variants represents a transient stage in the process of sequence homogenization, indicating the high rate of spreading in comparison with the rate of sequence variant amplification.     

Distribution and sequence homogeneity of an abundant satellite DNA in the beetle, Tenebrio molitor.

The mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, contains an unusually abundant and homogeneous satellite DNA which constitutes up to 60% of its genome. The satellite DNA is shown to be present in all of the chromosomes by in situ hybridization. 18 dimers of the repeat unit were cloned and sequenced. The consensus sequence is 142 nt long and lacks any internal repeat structure. Monomers of the sequence are very similar, showing on average a 2% divergence from the calculated consensus. Variant nucleotides are scattered randomly throughout the sequence although some variants are more common than others. Neighboring repeat units are no more alike than randomly chosen ones. The results suggest that some mechanism, perhaps gene conversion, is acting to maintain the homogeneity of the satellite DNA despite its abundance and distribution on all of the chromosomes.     

Screening for mycotoxins with larvae of Tenebrio molitor.

Larvae of the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, were used to screen isolates of field and storage fungi, included in their dietary substrate, for mycotoxins. Feeding of three isolates of Fusarium roseum, two of Fusarium equiseti and of Fusarium nivale, and one of an unidentified species of Fusarium resulted in growth depression of the larvae. One isolate of an unidentified species of Myrothecium was also toxic to larvae of Tenebrio molitor. Mycotoxin production was apparently dependent, not only on the fungal isolate, but also on the culture conditions under which the fungus was grown. Some fungal isolates had growth-promoting qualities for larvae of Tenebrio molitor.     

黄粉虫有效物质的综合提取及提取方法的比较

比较了用石油醚和用环己烷抽提黄粉虫TenebriomolitorL .虫粉中脂肪的提取率 ,以及用碱法和用酶法提取去脂虫渣中蛋白质的提取率。并从 2种去脂、去蛋白质虫渣中和虫蜕中提取壳聚糖。用环己烷和酶法提取为最佳组合 ,可综合提取出占幼虫干重 5 0 .5 %的有效物质。同时 ,讨论了碱法和酶法提取率出现差异的原因。     

叉角厉蝽对冷冻饲料黄粉虫蛹的适应性研究

叉角厉蝽Eocanthecona furcellata是农林业重要的天敌昆虫,其替代饲料黄粉虫蛹在饲养中常出现蛹期较短、蛹量过剩的问题。为提升黄粉虫蛹的利用效率,本文探究了-18℃冷冻蛹作为叉角厉蝽饲料可行性,测定了不同冷冻时间处理（1~180 d）后其营养成分的变化,通过计算营养摄入量与种群生命表构建,评价冷冻蛹作为替代饲料与黄粉虫幼虫和活蛹的繁育效果。结果发现,-18℃冷冻30 d以上会显著降低黄粉虫蛹的蛋白质和脂肪含量。取食冷冻蛹的叉角厉蝽种群,除成虫前期显著延长外,其余生物学指标与取食活蛹条件下无显著差异;与取食幼虫的种群相比,其净生殖率R0（94.60头）、周限增长率λ（1.1111 d-1）和内禀增长率r（0.1053 d-1）更高。研究表明经-18℃冷冻7~14 d的黄粉虫蛹仍具有较高的营养价值,叉角厉蝽对其有较好的摄食和繁殖适应性,适度冷冻储存黄粉虫蛹可以用于叉角厉蝽的替代猎物。研究结果为叉角厉蝽的规模化和标准化繁育提供理论依据。     

Mechanism of dealkylation of clionasterol in the insect Tenebrio molitor.

1. 25-3H- and 26-14C-labelled (24S)-24-ethylcholest-5-en-3beta-ol (clionasterol) were synthesized from (24S)-24-ethylcholesta-5,25-dien-3beta-ol. 2. These labelled substrates were mixed and administered, together with the hypocholesterolemic agent, triparanol citrate, to Tenebrio molitor larvae. 3. The 3H label from the clionasterol substrate was retained in both the desmosterol and the cholesterol isolated from the larvae. 4. Location of this 3H label in the desmosterol showed that dealkylation of the clionasterol involved 3H migration from C-25 to C-24. A possible mechanism for dealkylation is presented.     

Host stadium specificity in the gregarine assemblage parasitizing Tenebrio molitor.

Reciprocal cross-stadia experimental infections were used to demonstrate stadium specificity within the gregarine assemblage parasitizing Tenebrio molitor, the yellow mealworm. Gregarina cuneata, Gregarina polymorpha, and Gregarina steini are characteristic parasites of larval T. molitor. Gregarina niphandrodes is a characteristic parasite of adult T. molitor. Experimental infections were produced in all homologous host-parasite combinations. No infection was produced in heterologous or cross-stadia combinations. This study introduces the concept of separate, distinct parasite niches corresponding to separate life cycle stages and established by known, predictable life cycle events within a single host species.     

我国黄粉虫的营养价值和饲养方法

对我国黄粉虫Tenebriomolitor (L .)的人工饲养、营养价值现状以及当前开发利用研究的热点问题等方面进行了较全面的概括 ,并针对今后的研究工作和规模化生产提出了一些建议。     

Spermatophore production and spermatheca content in Tenebrio molitor infected with Hymenolepis diminuta

Male and female Tenebrio molitor act as intermediate hosts for metacestodes of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta. It is known that the bean-shaped accessory glands of infected males exhibit an extended growth period and are significantly larger than those from noninfected males by day 10 after emergence. We wished to determine whether more material is transferred from these glands into the spermatophores. Here we report that the protein content and trehalase activity of spermatophores produced by bean-shaped accessory glands from infected males is elevated. However, protein transferred to the female spermatheca during mating was not affected by the infection status of the male. No evidence of transfer of trehalase to the spermatheca was detected but spermatheca from virgin, infected females contained significantly greater trehalase activity than those from noninfected females.