Adult specimens of Corynosoma australe Johnston, 1937 were recorded from the intestines of California sea lions, Zalophus californianus (Lesson), from Baja California Peninsula, Mexico, whereas larval forms were collected from two fish species on the Argentinian coast. Adult specimens of C. australe were morphologically characterized by having a cylindrical proboscis with 18-20 rows of 12-14 hooks per row and a cylindrical trunk expanded anteriorly into a disk with tiny, triangular spines spreading almost to three quarters of the hind-trunk in males and to the posterior body end in females. The aim of this study was to explore the genetic diversity and systematic position of C. australe distributed in the Americas. Newly generated sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox 1) gene were compared with sequences available from GenBank. Phylogenetic analyses performed with the cox 1 dataset using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference showed that the 11 new sequences of C. australe recovered from the California sea lion in northern Mexico plus the six sequences from Argentinian seashores formed a clade with other sequences of specimens previously identified as C. australe. The intraspecific genetic divergence among the isolates was very low, ranging from 1 to 1.7%, and in combination with the phylogenetic trees confirmed that the isolates belonged to the same species. The cox 1 haplotype network inferred with 27 sequences revealed 18 haplotypes divided into two clusters clearly separated from each other by 5 substitutions. The first cluster corresponded to specimens from the Northern Hemisphere (United States of America and Mexico), and the second corresponded to specimens from the Southern Hemisphere (Argentina and Brazil). The current evidence suggests that C. australe has an amphitemperate distribution and is associated mainly with otariids with secondary and independent colonization events to other mammals and the Magellanic penguin in the Southern Hemisphere.
- MeSH
- Acanthocephala anatomie a histologie klasifikace genetika růst a vývoj MeSH
- fylogeografie MeSH
- genetická variace * MeSH
- helmintózy zvířat parazitologie MeSH
- lachtani rodu Arctocephalus a Callorhinus * MeSH
- larva anatomie a histologie klasifikace genetika růst a vývoj MeSH
- mikroskopie elektronová rastrovací veterinární MeSH
- respirační komplex IV MeSH
- sekvenční analýza DNA veterinární MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Argentina MeSH
- Brazílie MeSH
- Mexiko MeSH
- Spojené státy americké MeSH
Many lepidopteran larvae produce silk secretions to build feeding tubes and cocoons that play important protective roles in their lives. Recent research on the silk of bombycoid and pyralid moths has shown that it contains several highly abundant silk components with remarkable mechanical properties. It was also found to contain a number of other proteins of which the functions have yet to be identified. To gain an overview of the silk composition in more primitive lepidopteran species and to identify the core silk components common to most species, we analyzed the cocoon proteins of Tineola bisselliella, which belongs to the basal ditrysian moth line. Using de novo transcriptome sequencing combined with mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics, we detected more than 100 secretory proteins in the silk cocoons. Fibroin, sericins, and protease inhibitors were found to be the most abundant proteins, along with several novel candidate silk components. We also verified the tissue and developmental stage specificity of the silk protein expression and characterized the morphology of both the silk glands and silk in T. bisselliella. Our study provides a detailed analysis of silk in the primitive moth, expands the known set of silk-specific genes in Lepidoptera, and helps to elucidate their evolutionary relationships.
- MeSH
- biologická evoluce * MeSH
- fibroiny metabolismus MeSH
- hedvábí * chemie genetika metabolismus MeSH
- hmyzí proteiny genetika metabolismus MeSH
- inhibitory proteas metabolismus MeSH
- larva genetika metabolismus fyziologie MeSH
- můry * genetika metabolismus fyziologie MeSH
- proteomika metody MeSH
- sericiny metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
The role of adaptive divergence in the formation of new species has been the subject of much recent debate. The most direct evidence comes from traits that can be shown to have diverged under natural selection and that now contribute to reproductive isolation. Here, we investigate differential adaptation of two fire-bellied toads (Anura, Bombinatoridae) to two types of aquatic habitat. Bombina bombina and B. variegata are two anciently diverged taxa that now reproduce in predator-rich ponds and ephemeral aquatic sites, respectively. Nevertheless, they hybridise extensively wherever their distribution ranges adjoin. We show in laboratory experiments that, as expected, B. variegata tadpoles are at relatively greater risk of predation from dragonfly larvae, even when they display a predator-induced phenotype. These tadpoles spent relatively more time swimming and so prompted more attacks from the visually hunting predators. We argue in the discussion that genomic regions linked to high activity in B. variegata should be barred from introgression into the B. bombina gene pool and thus contribute to gene flow barriers that keep the two taxa from merging into one.
- MeSH
- chování zvířat MeSH
- druhová specificita MeSH
- ekosystém MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- fyziologická adaptace fyziologie MeSH
- hybridizace genetická MeSH
- larva genetika metabolismus MeSH
- predátorské chování fyziologie MeSH
- selekce (genetika) MeSH
- tok genů genetika MeSH
- úniková reakce fyziologie MeSH
- žáby embryologie genetika metabolismus MeSH
- zeměpis MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
DNA methylation at the fifth position of cytosine (5mC) and at the sixth position of adenine (6 mA) plays an important role in the regulation of the gene expression and, in eukaryotes, is essential for normal development. For Ixodes ricinus, the most common European arthropod vector of human and animal pathogens, the DNA methylation profile and the role of DNA methylation in tick development are still under discussion. Our goal was to analyze the status of I. ricinus DNA methylation at different life stages and identify enzymes that produce this type of DNA modification. We found that 5mC and 6mA are present in I. ricinus genomic DNA at all life stages. In the transcriptome of I. ricinus, we identified the sequences of the putative IrDNMT1, IrDNMT3, and IrDAMT enzymes, and bioinformatic analysis and three-dimensional modeling predicted their DNA methylation activity. This confirms that I. ricinus possesses a complete DNA methylation toolkit. Our results suggest that DNA methylation is important for the physiology and transstadial development of ticks.
- MeSH
- epigeneze genetická * MeSH
- genetická transkripce MeSH
- klíště enzymologie genetika růst a vývoj MeSH
- larva genetika růst a vývoj MeSH
- methyltransferasy chemie genetika MeSH
- molekulární konformace MeSH
- nymfa genetika růst a vývoj MeSH
- ovum růst a vývoj MeSH
- proteiny členovců chemie genetika MeSH
- regulace genové exprese * MeSH
- transkriptom * MeSH
- věkové faktory MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
BACKGROUND: In fly brains, the Drosophila Adar (adenosine deaminase acting on RNA) enzyme edits hundreds of transcripts to generate edited isoforms of encoded proteins. Nearly all editing events are absent or less efficient in larvae but increase at metamorphosis; the larger number and higher levels of editing suggest editing is most required when the brain is most complex. This idea is consistent with the fact that Adar mutations affect the adult brain most dramatically. However, it is unknown whether Drosophila Adar RNA editing events mediate some coherent physiological effect. To address this question, we performed a genetic screen for suppressors of Adar mutant defects. Adar5G1 null mutant flies are partially viable, severely locomotion defective, aberrantly accumulate axonal neurotransmitter pre-synaptic vesicles and associated proteins, and develop an age-dependent vacuolar brain neurodegeneration. RESULTS: A genetic screen revealed suppression of all Adar5G1 mutant phenotypes tested by reduced dosage of the Tor gene, which encodes a pro-growth kinase that increases translation and reduces autophagy in well-fed conditions. Suppression of Adar5G1 phenotypes by reduced Tor is due to increased autophagy; overexpression of Atg5, which increases canonical autophagy initiation, reduces aberrant accumulation of synaptic vesicle proteins and suppresses all Adar mutant phenotypes tested. Endosomal microautophagy (eMI) is another Tor-inhibited autophagy pathway involved in synaptic homeostasis in Drosophila. Increased expression of the key eMI protein Hsc70-4 also reduces aberrant accumulation of synaptic vesicle proteins and suppresses all Adar5G1 mutant phenotypes tested. CONCLUSIONS: These findings link Drosophila Adar mutant synaptic and neurotransmission defects to more general cellular defects in autophagy; presumably, edited isoforms of CNS proteins are required for optimum synaptic response capabilities in the brain during the behaviorally complex adult life stage.
- MeSH
- adenosindeaminasa genetika metabolismus MeSH
- autofagie * MeSH
- Drosophila melanogaster genetika růst a vývoj fyziologie MeSH
- larva genetika růst a vývoj fyziologie MeSH
- mutace MeSH
- nervový přenos genetika MeSH
- proteiny Drosophily genetika metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Insects rely on the innate immune system for defense against pathogens, some aspects of which are under hormonal control. Here we provide direct experimental evidence showing that the juvenile hormone-binding protein (mJHBP) of Aedes aegypti is required for the regulation of innate immune responses and the development of mosquito blood cells (hemocytes). Using an mJHBP-deficient mosquito line generated by means of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology we uncovered a mutant phenotype characterized by immunosuppression at the humoral and cellular levels, which profoundly affected susceptibility to bacterial infection. Bacteria-challenged mosquitoes exhibited significantly higher levels of septicemia and mortality relative to the wild type (WT) strain, delayed expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), severe developmental dysregulation of embryonic and larval hemocytes (reduction in the total number of hemocytes) and increased differentiation of the granulocyte lineage. Interestingly, injection of recombinant wild type mJHBP protein into adult females three-days before infection was sufficient to restore normal immune function. Similarly, injection of mJHBP into fourth-instar larvae fully restored normal larval/pupal hemocyte populations in emerging adults. More importantly, the recovery of normal immuno-activation and hemocyte development requires the capability of mJHBP to bind JH III. These results strongly suggest that JH III functions in mosquito immunity and hemocyte development in a manner that is perhaps independent of canonical JH signaling, given the lack of developmental and reproductive abnormalities. Because of the prominent role of hemocytes as regulators of mosquito immunity, this novel discovery may have broader implications for the understanding of vector endocrinology, hemocyte development, vector competence and disease transmission.
- MeSH
- Aedes genetika růst a vývoj imunologie mikrobiologie MeSH
- hemocyty imunologie mikrobiologie MeSH
- hmyzí proteiny genetika imunologie MeSH
- juvenilní hormony imunologie MeSH
- larva genetika růst a vývoj imunologie mikrobiologie MeSH
- přirozená imunita MeSH
- Serratia marcescens fyziologie MeSH
- transportní proteiny genetika imunologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
- Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural MeSH
Lepidopteran silk is a complex assembly of proteins produced by a pair of highly specialized labial glands called silk glands. Silk composition has been examined only in a handful of species. Here we report on the analysis of silk gland-specific transcriptomes from three developmental stages of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, combined with proteomics, Edman microsequencing and northern blot analysis. In addition to the genes known earlier, we identified twenty seven candidate cDNAs predicted to encode secretory proteins, which may represent novel silk components. Eight were verified by proteomic analysis or microsequencing, and several others were confirmed by similarity with known silk genes and their expression patterns. Our results revealed that most candidates encode abundant secreted proteins produced by middle silk glands including ten sericins, two seroins, one or more mucins, and several sequences without apparent similarity to known proteins. We did not detect any novel PSG-specific protein, confirming that there are only three fibroin subunits. Our data not only show that the number of sericin genes in the greater wax moth is higher than in other species thus far examined, but also the total content of soluble proteins in silk is twice as high in G. mellonella than in B. mori or A. yamamai. Our data will serve as a foundation for future identification and evolutionary analysis of silk proteins in the Lepidoptera.
- MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- glykoproteiny chemie genetika metabolismus MeSH
- hedvábí genetika metabolismus MeSH
- hmyzí proteiny chemie genetika metabolismus MeSH
- larva genetika růst a vývoj metabolismus MeSH
- muciny chemie genetika metabolismus MeSH
- můry genetika růst a vývoj metabolismus MeSH
- proteom * MeSH
- sekvence aminokyselin MeSH
- sekvence nukleotidů MeSH
- sekvenční seřazení MeSH
- sericiny chemie genetika metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
An indoor terrarium population of Amblyomma geoemydae was established subsequent to the import of a single yellow-marginated box turtle Cuora flavomarginata. This indoor tick population revealed an unexpected resistance against de-ticking trials, with persistence between 2010 and 2015, when the ticks were successfully eliminated. Ticks were collected from the bodies and shells of turtles, as well as from terraria soil. Species diagnosis of ticks was carried out according to distinguishable morphological characters and supported by molecular analysis using DNA-barcoding. Introduced exotic ticks are potential vectors of pathogens and can have an impact on wildlife, domestic animals and the human population. This case emphasizes the need for sharp surveillance and control measures on imported reptiles.
- MeSH
- infestace klíšťaty parazitologie prevence a kontrola veterinární MeSH
- Ixodidae klasifikace genetika růst a vývoj fyziologie MeSH
- larva klasifikace genetika růst a vývoj fyziologie MeSH
- nymfa klasifikace genetika růst a vývoj fyziologie MeSH
- roční období MeSH
- taxonomické DNA čárové kódování veterinární MeSH
- zavlečené druhy MeSH
- želvy * MeSH
- zvířata v ZOO MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Rakousko MeSH
Hedgehogs (Mammalia: Erinaceidae) are omnivorous nocturnal animals typically living in anthropogenic areas. They may be suitable as sentinels for a wide range of zoonotic infections. Only a few studies have investigated hedgehogs (and then as representative wildlife species) to establish their role in the life cycle of such tissue parasites with zoonotic potential as Toxoplasma gondii or Trichinella spp. Working with frozen hedgehog cadavers, we tested for these parasites using T. gondii DNA-specific magnetic capture isolation plus polymerase chain reaction and Trichinella spp. digestion assay. All of 50 examined hedgehogs were negative for Trichinella spp. larvae in their muscles, but brain tissue from 5 out of 26 Erinaceus europaeus (19.2%) and 4 out of 24 E. roumanicus (16.6%) tested positive for T. gondii DNA. Frequency of T. gondii for both hedgehog species was equal, as was distribution between males and females and across age categories. Although a few studies have suggested the possibility of Trichinella spp. infection in hedgehogs, the zero prevalence in the tested hedgehogs is not surprising in view of the generally low prevalence of Trichinella spp. in Central Europe. Our results show that hedgehogs are susceptible to infection by T. gondii and can be used as indicator wildlife animal species in anthropogenic ecosystems.
- MeSH
- divoká zvířata parazitologie MeSH
- ježkovití parazitologie MeSH
- larva genetika MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
- protozoální DNA genetika MeSH
- Toxoplasma genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- toxoplazmóza zvířat epidemiologie parazitologie MeSH
- Trichinella klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace MeSH
- trichinelóza epidemiologie parazitologie veterinární MeSH
- zoonózy MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
- Evropa MeSH
Cysteine protease is a superfamily of widespread proteolytic enzymes and plays a major role in larval invasion, migration, exsheathing, survival and immune evasion in parasites. In the present study, the gene coding cysteine proteinase of the nematode Trichinella spiralis (Owen, 1835) was cloned into pQE-80L and subsequently expressed in E. coli JM109. The rTsCP was purified and its antigenicity was identified by Western blot and ELISA. Using anti-rTsCP serum the native TsCP was identified in muscle larval crude proteins. The results of quantitative real-time PCR and immunofluorescence test demonstrated that the TsCP was expressed in all stages of T. spiralis and located mainly in cuticle, stichosome and reproductive organs. The immunisation of mice with rTsCP elicited Th2-predominant immune responses. Anti-rTsCP antibodies could partially inhibit the in vitro larval invasion of intestinal epithelial cells and kill the newborn larvae by an antibody-dependent cell-mediated dose-dependent cytotoxicity. The vaccinated mice exhibited a 54% reduction of adults and a 33% reduction of muscle larvae following challenge infection. The results suggested that the TsCP might be an indispensable protein in Trichinella invasion, development and survival of T. spiralis in hosts, and could be a potential vaccine target against infection.
- MeSH
- cysteinové proteasy genetika metabolismus MeSH
- Escherichia coli genetika metabolismus MeSH
- exprese genu MeSH
- geneticky modifikované mikroorganismy genetika MeSH
- klonování DNA MeSH
- larva enzymologie genetika růst a vývoj MeSH
- myši inbrední BALB C MeSH
- myši MeSH
- organismy bez specifických patogenů MeSH
- proteiny červů genetika metabolismus MeSH
- sekvenční analýza DNA veterinární MeSH
- Trichinella spiralis enzymologie genetika růst a vývoj MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- myši MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
