Molecular genetics and hormonal regulation of exoskeleton differentiation in an insect model, Apis mellifera

• Grant number: 10/16380-9
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: December 01, 2010 - August 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal researcher: Marcia Maria Gentile Bitondi
• Grantee: Marcia Maria Gentile Bitondi
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: Zilá Luz Paulino Simões

Abstract

The exoskeleton, or cuticle, not only gives shape to the insects, but also provides other essential biological properties, such as locomotion, protection against desiccation, parasites and pathogens, to this large group of Arthropoda. This rigid (sclerotized) structure produced by epidermis is composed of a variety of proteins (cuticle proteins) and a type of polysaccharide, chitin, and is periodically renewed during insect growth. The periodicity of this process, or molt, is mainly controlled by ecdysteroids, while the regulation of exoskeleton maturation has been attributed to ecdysteroids as well as to bursicon, a peptide produced by the brain. Recently, the sequencing and annotation of the genome of some insect species have given new dimension to the study of the exoskeleton. A significant number of genes that potentially encode cuticle proteins - the 'cuticle genes' - were identified. Chitin binding motifs, and other conserved regions, allowed the classification of these proteins into 12 families, thus revealing the complexity of the structural components of the exoskeleton. However, the application of this knowledge to understand both (1) the differential gene expression, and its regulation, as well as (2) the changes undergone by the epidermis during the successive molting events (apolysis, cuticle synthesis, cuticle differentiation or sclerotization, and ecdysis), is still incipient. The objective of this project is to use the honeybee Apis mellifera as a biological model in a multiple methodological approach (microarray, real time RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, RNA interference) aiming (1) to identify genes differentially expressed in epidermis during the successive molting events that lead to the adult exoskeleton formation; (2) to characterize the differential gene expression in response to the changing ecdysteroid titer during this period, and (3) to investigate the role of bursicon in the induction of genes encoding enzymes of potential importance for exoskeleton maturation. Concurrently, we intend to characterize the sub-cellular changes that occur in epidermis during exoskeleton formation. With this approach, we expect to deepen our understanding on exoskeleton formation and differentiation at the molecular and sub-cellular levels. (AU)

Scientific publications

(6)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

COSTA, CLAUDINEIA PEREIRA; ELIAS-NETO, MOYSES; FALCON, TIAGO; DALLACQUA, RODRIGO PIRES; MARTINS, JULIANA RAMOS; GENTILE BITONDI, MARCIA MARIA. RNAi-Mediated Functional Analysis of Bursicon Genes Related to Adult Cuticle Formation and Tanning in the Honeybee, Apis mellifera. PLoS One, v. 11, n. 12 DEC 1 2016. Web of Science Citations: 2.

ELIAS-NETO, MOYSES; NASCIMENTO, ANA L. O.; BONETTI, ANA M.; NASCIMENTO, FABIO S.; MATEUS, SIDNEI; GAROFALO, CARLOS A.; BITONDI, MARCIA M. G. Heterochrony of cuticular differentiation in eusocial corbiculate bees. Apidologie, v. 45, n. 4, p. 397-408, JUL 2014. Web of Science Citations: 3.

FALCON, TIAGO; FERREIRA-CALIMAN, MARIA JULIANA; FRANCO NUNES, FRANCIS MORAIS; TANAKA, ERICA DONATO; DO NASCIMENTO, FABIO SANTOS; GENTILE BITONDI, MARCIA MARIA. Exoskeleton formation in Apis mellifera: Cuticular hydrocarbons profiles and expression of desaturase and elongase genes during pupal and adult development. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, v. 50, p. 68-81, JUL 2014. Web of Science Citations: 21.

MIRANDA SOARES, MICHELLE PRIOLI; BARCHUK, ANGEL ROBERTO; QUIRINO SIMOES, ANA CAROLINA; CRISTINO, ALEXANDRE DOS SANTOS; DE PAULA FREITAS, FLAVIA CRISTINA; CANHOS, LUISA LANGE; GENTILE BITONDI, MARCIA MARIA. Genes involved in thoracic exoskeleton formation during the pupal-to-adult molt in a social insect model, Apis mellifera. BMC Genomics, v. 14, AUG 28 2013. Web of Science Citations: 16.

ELIAS-NETO, MOYSES; SOARES, MICHELLE P. M.; BITONDI, MARCIA M. G. Expression profile of a Laccase2 encoding gene during the metamorphic molt in Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Revista Brasileira de Entomologia, v. 57, n. 2, p. 213-216, APR-JUN 2013. Web of Science Citations: 2.

MARTINS, JULIANA R.; ANHEZINI, LUCAS; DALLACQUA, RODRIGO P.; SIMOES, ZILA L. P.; BITONDI, MARCIA M. G. A Honey Bee Hexamerin, HEX 70a, Is Likely to Play an Intranuclear Role in Developing and Mature Ovarioles and Testioles. PLoS One, v. 6, n. 12 DEC 9 2011. Web of Science Citations: 25.