Age and diet influence the composition of venom from the endoparasitic wasp Pimpla turionellae L. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Venom from the endoparasitic wasp Pimpla turionellae L. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) was found to contain a complex mixture of biogenic amines, noradrenalin, phospholipase B, and several proteins and peptides. The amount of noradrenalin and serotonin was found to be highest in venom from newly emerged wasps and decreased with age. Histamine was detected in minute amounts in comparison to the other venom components, and declined with increasing age of the parasitoids. Total peptides and proteins detected by reversed-phase HPLC increased with host age. Old-aged (30-33 days after emergence) wasps contained 2-fold more phospholipase B than young (<10 days [d] old) or medium-aged (10-22-d-old) females. Increases in phospholipase B alone, however, did not account for all changes in total venom protein because by 40 days after emergence, the levels of this enzyme began to decline while the amount of total protein was higher than in younger wasps. For all venom components detected, the amount present in the venom sharply decreased following host exposure. This was presumed to be the result of venom depletion associated with envenomation. Consistent with this view were the modest increases in venom components in wasps displaying a decreased rate of parasitization. When adult females were offered honey alone or in combination with feeding on hosts, no significant changes in venom composition were observed, with the exception of noradrenalin, which was found to be 5 times higher in concentration in wasps fed honey only. These results suggest that wasp age and incidence of parasitism are more important features influencing the composition of venom than the diet of adult females.     

In vivo and in vitro activity of venom from the endoparasitic wasp Pimpla turionellae (L.) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

The biological activity of venom from Pimpla turionellae L. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) was examined in vivo toward larvae and pupae of Galleriae mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and in vitro toward bacterial and fungal cultures, as well as cultured insect cells. Pupae of G. mellonella were far more susceptible to the venom than larvae. At low doses of venom [0.1 venom reservoir equivalents (VRE)], pupal abdominal mobility was inhibited within 30 min, and by 24 h, all pupae injected with venom concentrations >0.5 VRE were completely paralyzed. These same doses of venom resulted in an inhibition of adult emergence. Host larvae were far less sensitive to wasp venom as evidenced by all venom injected larvae remaining responsive to mechanical stimulation by 1 h post injection, even at concentrations equivalent to 1 venom reservoir. Eventually (>2 h at 25 degrees C), venom-injected larvae became immobile, then flaccid, and all died within 24 h post-injection. At lower concentrations of wasp venom, the onset of paralysis was delayed by comparison to that evoked by 1 VRE, and few host larvae were able to pupate. Development of host larvae to adult emergence was also reduced in a dose-dependent manner, with eclosion completely prevented at high concentrations (>0.5 VRE) of venom. Venom doses <0.5 VRE did not appear to induce paralysis or alter larval development. When venom was incubated with bacterial or fungal cultures, no antimicrobial activity was detected. However, wasp venom was found to be cytotoxic and cytolytic to cultured cells derived from the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culcidae). Though both cell types displayed similar susceptibility in terms of LC50s, the lepidopteran cells responded much more rapidly with regard to the onset of morphological changes and the timing of cell death. A possible mode of action for the venom is discussed.     

Differential gene expression profiling of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-overexpressing mammary tumor

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is highly expressed in approximately 30% of breast cancer patients, and substantial evidence supports the relationship between HER2 overexpression and poor overall survival. However, the biological function of HER2 signal transduction pathways is not entirely clear. To investigate gene activation within the pathways, we screened differentially expressed genes in HER2-positive mouse mammary tumor using two-directional suppression subtractive hybridization combined with reverse dot-blotting analysis. Forty genes and expressed sequence tags related to transduction, cell proliferation/growth/apoptosis and secreted/extracellular matrix proteins were differentially expressed in HER2-positive mammary tumor tissue. Among these, 19 were already reported to be differentially expressed in mammary tumor, 11 were first identified to be differentially expressed in mammary tumor in this study but were already reported in other tumors, and 10 correlated with other cancers. These genes can facilitate the understanding of the role of HER2 signaling in breast cancer.     

Characterization and biochemical analyses of venom from the ectoparasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

During parasitism, the ectoparasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) induces a developmental arrest in host pupae that is sustained until the fly is either consumed by developing larvae or the onset of death. Bioassays using fluids collected from the female reproductive system (calyx, alkaline gland, acid gland, and venom reservoir) indicated that the venom gland and venom reservoir are the sources of the arrestant and inducer(s) of death. Infrared spectroscopic analyses revealed that crude venom is acidic and composed of amines, peptides, and proteins, which apparently are not glycosylated. Reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and sodium dodecyl polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) confirmed the proteinaceous nature of venom and that it is composed mostly of mid to high molecular weight proteins in the range of 13 to 200.5 kilodaltons (kDa). Ammonium sulfate precipitation and centrifugal size exclusion membranes were used to isolate venom proteins. SDS-PAGE protein profiles of the isolated venom fractions displaying biological activity suggest that multiple proteins contribute to arresting host development and eliciting death. Additionally, HPLC fractionation coupled with use of several internal standards implied that two of the low molecular weight proteins were apamin and histamine. However, in vitro assays using BTI-TN-5B1-4 cells contradict the presence of these agents.     

松树蜂毒腺转录组分析

【目的】构建入侵种松树蜂Sirex noctilio毒腺转录组数据库,筛选并分析松树蜂毒腺基因数据。【方法】采用新一代高通量测序平台Illumina HiSeq^TM 4000对松树蜂雌成虫毒腺进行转录组测序、数据组装和生物信息学分析。【结果】共获得12.7 Gb松树蜂雌成虫毒腺有效转录组数据,并组装到37 098条unigenes,平均长度968 bp,N50长度为2 364 bp。将所得的unigenes数据使用BlastX与各大数据库比对,共注释到13 515条unigenes,并且在NR数据库中注释的unigenes最多,共11 108条(占总数的29.94%),其中相似基因占比最高的物种为丽蝇蛹集金小蜂Nasonia vitripennis,达815条(占总数的7.29%)。在GO数据库中注释到5 726条unigenes,根据功能被分为生物学进程、细胞组分和分子功能3大类63个亚类。KEGG代谢通路分析表明,7 602条unigenes注释到357个代谢通路。根据基因注释信息进一步筛选到43条嗅觉相关基因,包括嗅觉受体(odorant receptor, Or)基因25条、化学感受蛋白(chemosensory protein, CSP)基因10条、离子型受体(ionotropic receptor, IR)基因5条和气味结合蛋白(odorant binding protein, OBP)基因3条。此外,还筛选出11条漆酶基因,包括漆酶1(laccase1, LAC1)基因5条、漆酶2(laccase2, LAC2)基因4条、漆酶4(laccase4, LAC4)基因1条和漆酶9(laccase9, LAC9)基因1条,且其中1条LAC2基因在所有被注释的基因中表达量最高(FPKM值=21 126)。【结论】本研究获得的松树蜂毒腺转录组数据为松树蜂毒液组分的鉴定和生物学功能的研究奠定了一定的理论基础。     

宽果苁菔适应昼夜变化ESTs的分离与分析

以流石滩地区植物广布种宽果苁菔为实验材料,应用磁珠介导的抑制消减杂交方法,分离昼夜差异基因。随机挑选了136个差异ESTs克隆并进行测序,测序结果使用Blast2go程序进行功能注释和分析。结果表明绝大部分ESTs功能与稳定细胞状态和抗性响应相关,其次与物质能量代谢和信号传导相关,宽果苁菔适应昼夜变化过程的机制非常复杂,本研究为进一步研究高山植物适应流石滩恶劣环境的机制奠定了基础。     

Disruption of pupariation and eclosion behavior in the flesh fly, Sarcophaga bullata Parker (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), by venom from the ectoparasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

The action of venom from the ectoparasitic wasp, Nasonia vitripennis, was monitored by examining alterations in patterned muscular movements characteristic of pupariation and eclosion behavior in the flesh fly, Sarcophaga bullata. Venom injected into larvae prior to pupariation caused a dose-dependent delay in pupariation. Eventually, such larvae did pupariate, but puparia were abnormally formed. Barographic records revealed that all elements of pupariation behavior were present in venom-injected larvae, but pupariation behavior was not well synchronized with tanning, thus implying that the venom caused disruption in the temporal organization of central motor programs. When larvae were ligated and injected with venom posterior to the ligature, no response was evident in the posterior region, suggesting that the venom does not directly stimulate muscles or neuromuscular junctions. Injection of exogenous ecdysteroid into venom-injected larvae restored some elements of pupariation behavior, consistent with ecdysone's role in stimulating the release of anterior retraction factor and puparium tanning factor, two factors that are released from the CNS to regulate pupariation. When the venom was injected into newly emerged imagoes, the duration of extrication behavior was shortened, whereas all phases of post-eclosion behavior were lengthened. These observations imply that the venom affects CNS centers that regulate the muscular systems engaged in extrication and post-eclosion behavior.     

Oviposition strategy of the parasitic waspDinarmus basalis (Hymenoptera,Pteromalidae)

Summary Host type choice and sex allocation were examined using the solitary parasitic waspDinarmus basalis (Pteromalidae, Hymenoptera) parasitizing larvae or pupae of the bean weevilCallosobruchus chinensis (Bruchidae, Coleoptera) within azuki beans (Vigna angularis). The wasps were offered two types of host; one was hard for the mother to lay eggs in, but was more beneficial for the offspring; the other was easy for the mother to lay eggs in, but was less beneficial for the offspring. The two types of host were one large host (17-day old host) in one bean and 6 small hosts (12-, or 13-day old hosts) in one bean. The same number of each host was presented at the same time to female wasps. The wasps accepted more 17-day old hosts than 12-day old hosts, and more 13-day old hosts than 17-day old hosts in each pair-wise choice experiment. The proportions of accepted host types were different from the proportions predicted by optimization models of random prey encounter with known or unknown prey densities. The wasps showed partial preference of host types. Incomplete information about prey densities, and about the costs and benefits of the two types of host may have generated the partial preference. Two predictions of host sizemodels, that (1) there should be a negative relationship between host size and offspring sex ratio (proportion of male offsprings), and (2) the sex ratio in each size host changes with the relative frequency of each size host utilized, were qualitatively supported.     

Analysis of altered gene expression in rat soleus muscle atrophied by disuse

The present study involved a global analysis of genes whose expression was modified in rat soleus muscle atrophied after hindlimb suspension (HS). HS muscle unloading is a common model for muscle disuse that especially affects antigravity slow-twitch muscles such as the soleus muscle. A cDNA cloning strategy, based on suppression subtractive hybridization technology, led to the construction of two normalized soleus muscle cDNA libraries that were subtracted in opposite directions, i.e., atrophied soleus muscle cDNAs subtracted by control cDNAs and vice versa. Differential screening of the two libraries revealed 34 genes with altered expression in HS soleus muscle, including 11 novel cDNAs, in addition to the 2X and 2B myosin heavy chain genes expressed only in soleus muscles after HS. Gene up- and down-regulations were quantified by reverse Northern blot and classical Northern blot analysis. The 25 genes with known functions fell into seven important functional categories. The homogeneity of gene alterations within each category gave several clues for unraveling the interplay of cellular events implied in the muscle atrophy phenotype. In particular, our results indicate that modulations in slow- and fast-twitch-muscle component balance, the protein synthesis/secretion pathway, and the extracellular matrix/cytoskeleton axis are likely to be key molecular mechanisms of muscle atrophy. In addition, the cloning of novel cDNAs underlined the efficiency of the chosen technical approach and gave novel possibilities to further decipher the molecular mechanisms of muscle atrophy.     

抑制性消减杂交在生物基因克隆中的应用

抑制性消减杂交(SSH)是抑制PCR与消减杂交技术相结合,能对未知序列差异表达基因克隆的一种方法。该方法具有速度快、效率高、假阳性率低、目的序列富集程度高、实验结果复杂程度低等特点。本主要介绍其基本原理、操作过程、优缺点、在生物基因克隆中的应用,并对其应用前景进行了分析。     

家蝇幼虫消减文库的构建及差异表达基因的鉴定

为了鉴定家蝇Musca domestica免疫相关基因,应用抑制性消减杂交技术,构建刺激家蝇幼虫差异表达cDNA消减文库。以大肠杆菌Escherichia coli和金黄色葡萄球菌Staphylococcus aureus诱导12 h的家蝇幼虫与未诱导的家蝇幼虫为消减杂交对象,获得了差异表达基因的cDNA片段,将其与T/A载体连接并转化大肠杆菌DH5α,构建了刺激家蝇幼虫cDNA消减文库。PCR检测发现,文库的阳性克隆中插入的cDNA片段大小在200~1 000 bp之间,随机挑选了161个含大小不等差异片段的克隆进行测序和同源性分析,鉴定了36种蛋白的基因片段,包括抗菌肽、酶、核糖体蛋白、其他功能蛋白以及功能不明的蛋白。用半定量RT-PCR分析了其中6种蛋白基因的表达,结果显示：防御素和攻击素基因在细菌刺激后24 h内明显上调表达,而溶菌酶、酚氧化酶原活化因子、糜蛋白酶和蛋白质合成起始因子基因在细菌刺激后0-4 h内表达受抑制,12 h后上调表达。该研究结果为家蝇免疫相关基因的克隆和家蝇免疫防御机制的探讨奠定了良好的基础。     

The ecology of two West Indian species of mud-wasps (Eumenidae: Hymenoptera)

Factors affecting the distribution and numbers of the neotropical mud-wasps Zeta abdominale (Drury) in Jamaica and Z. canaliculatum (Oliv.) in Trinidad are discussed. Rainfall was a limiting factor in both aspects of the ecology of the two species. In Jamaica, Z. abdominale was virtually absent from rainfall zones >2540 mm m.a.p. (mean annual precipitation), whereas in Trinidad, Z. canaliculatum hardly inhabited those localities of > 2250 mm m.a.p. Furthermore, the local populations were progressively smaller and more scattered in wetter areas, because consistent rainfall and overcast conditions may result in reduced nesting activity. However, in a favourable locality, numbers may be temporarily increased after rainfall which boosts food supply (caterpillars).
Developmental mortality, at 57.68% and 57.2896 respectively was remarkably similar in Z. abdominale and Z. canaliculatum . The important predators within the cells were Melittobia sp. ( hawaiiensis complex) (Eulophidae) and Amobia fioridensis Townsend (Miltogramminae). In Zeta abdominale total developmental mortality was positively correlated with log,₀ (no. of cells) at different sites; averaging only 33.3% for small populations, but 77.4% for large ones.
Regulation at low numbers ( Z. abdominale ) was probably achieved by harsh physical factors, causing low fecundity, but great survival in the cells and high emigration rate. Where Z. abdominale was numerous, the physical environment was favourable, but developmental mortality was so high, that it is necessary to postulate the immigration of many nesting females.     

单眼视网膜摘除后鸽左右前脑基因的差异表达

利用消减抑制杂交（SSH）技术分析左眼视网膜摘除后成鸽左右前脑基因差异表达情况,对14个重线子经反Northern杂交去除假阳性,最终获得4个阳性重组子,对阳性重组子进行克隆和测序,其中PFB／SSH－8片段长226bp,它的138bp与人CaM I基因外显子有85％的同泊性,PFB／SSH－15片段长252bp,与nexin I alpha非表达序列有低的同源性,另外2个片段未发现有同源物。     

申克孢子丝菌酵母相和菌丝相cDNA消减文库的构建

目的 筛选与申克孢子丝菌酵母相与菌丝相双相转换相关的差异表达基因,为探讨其双相转换的分子的机制奠定基础.方法 应用抑制性消减杂交技术,构建高特异性的申克孢子丝菌菌丝相（mycelium,M）和酵母相（yeast,Y）的正反cDNA消减文库,并对其差异表达的基因进行生物信息学分析.结果 M＋Y文库获得751条表达序列标签,平均长度为690.98 bp,经拼接后获得101条非冗余序列.Y＋M文库获得875条表达序列标签,平均长度为575.9 bp,拼接获得249条非冗余序列.经BLASTN比对,这些差异表达基因中,某些结构基因和功能不明的细胞分子类基因可能与双相转换有关.结论 成功构建了高特异性的申克孢子丝菌菌丝相和酵母相的正反cDNA 消减文库,为进一步筛选申克孢子丝菌的双相转换基因奠定了基础.     

黄唇蜾蠃蜂蜂毒中两个过敏原全长基因的克隆、序列分析和表达

为了进一步研究透明质酸酶的过敏活性,利用昆虫杆状病毒成功地表达了黄唇蜾蠃蜂Rhynchium brunneum蜂毒的透明质酸酶。根据已报道的胡蜂科透明质酸酶和抗原5基因的氨基酸保守序列,设计合成简并引物,利用反转录多聚酶链式反应（RT-PCR）技术扩增了黄唇蜾蠃蜂蜂毒透明质酸酶和抗原5的基因片段,利用RACE技术进一步获得了它们的全长基因（GenBank登录号分别为EU624135和EU624136）。按照过敏原的命名法则,分别命名为Rhy b 2和Rhy b 5。序列比对分析发现,这两个基因与胡蜂科的相应序列高度相似,说明对胡蜂蜂毒过敏的人群也可能对蜾蠃蜂蜂毒有交叉过敏反应。但进一步分析发现,黄唇蜾蠃蜂蜂毒透明质酸酶的B细胞决定表位显著不同,9个保守性氨基酸在蜾蠃蜂中仅保留了3个,而且缺乏两个关键的精氨酸;黄唇蜾蠃蜂蜂毒抗原5序列N端的二级结构和具有过敏活性的常见黄胡蜂Vespula vulgaris蜂毒的抗原5显著不同,有可能因此而缺失依赖其N端二级结构的B细胞决定表位。据此认为,蜾蠃蜂蜂毒透明质酸酶和抗原5很可能是天然弱化的过敏原,在过敏原特异性免疫治疗上具有潜在的应用价值。     

Host selection by virgin and inseminated females of the parasitic wasp, Dinarmus basalis (Pteromalidae, Hymenoptera)

1. Fitness is related to reproduction and survival. There apparently exists a negative correlation between the numbers of male and female offspring. There also exists a trade-off between survival and reproduction. This paper investigates optimal decisions with the reproduction and survival trade-off in host selection by wasps.
2. Whereas inseminated female wasps could manipulate the sex of their offspring, virgin females produced only male offspring. I surveyed behavioural differences and the consequences of oviposition by inseminated and virgin females of a solitary parasitic wasp in host choice situations.
3. Two host types were available at the same time to both inseminated and virgin female wasps: one (a 17-day-old host in one bean) presenting difficulties for the laying of eggs, but more benefits for the offspring and the other (five 12- or 13-day-old hosts in one bean) easier for the female wasp for laying of eggs but less beneficial for the offspring.
4. Inseminated female wasps chose more 17-day-old hosts than 12-day-old hosts, but more 13-day-old hosts than 17-day-old hosts in each pair-wise choice. Virgin females chose the smaller hosts in both situations.
5. Virgin females, having greater longevity than inseminated females, laid larger numbers of eggs than the inseminated females during their lifetime by adopting an energy-saving host choice that had little effect on male offspring fitness.