Proteotranscriptomic analyses of the midgut and Malpighian tubules after a sublethal concentration of Cry1Ab exposure on Spodoptera litura.

BACKGROUND: Cry1Ab has emerged as a bio-insecticide to control Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). However, the sublethal effects of Cry1Ab on the physiological changes and molecular level of S. litura have not been well documented. Our aims in this study were to assess the sublethal effect of Cry1Ab on S. litura, including midgut and Malpighian tubules as targets. RESULTS: After sublethal Cry1Ab exposure, distinct histological alterations were mainly observed in the midgut. Furthermore, the results of comparative RNA sequencing and tandem mass tag-based proteomics showed that, in the midgut, most differential expression genes (DEGs) were up-regulated and significantly enriched in the serine protease activity pathway, and up-regulated differential expression proteins (DEPs) were mainly associated with the oxidative phosphorylation pathway, whereas the down-regulated involved in the ribosome pathways. In the Malpighian tubules, DEGs and DEPs were significantly enriched in the ribosome pathway. We proposed that ribosome may act as a universal target in energy metabolism with other pathways via the results of protein-protein interaction analysis. Further, by verification of the mRNA expression of some Cry protein receptor and detoxification genes after Cry1Ab treatment, it was suggested that the ribosomal proteins (RPs) possibly participate in influencing the Bt-resistance of S. litura larvae under sublethal Cry1Ab exposure. CONCLUSION: Under sublethal Cry1Ab exposure, the midgut of S. litura was damaged, and the proteotranscriptomic analysis elucidated that Cry1Ab disrupted the energy homeostasis of larvae. Furthermore, we emphasized the potential role of ribosomes in sublethal Cry1Ab exposure. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Differential gene expression between summer and winter diapause pupae of the onion maggot Delia antiqua, detected by suppressive subtractive hybridization.

To gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating pupal diapause of the onion maggot Delia antiqua, PCR-based suppressive subtractive hybridization was performed to identify genes involved in summer and/or winter diapause. A total of 209 unique sequences were obtained including 89 in forward library for winter diapausing pupae and 120 in the reverse library for summer diapausing pupae. 76.4% (68/89) and 68.3% (82/120) unique sequences had significant hits to non-redundant proteins database. Gene functional annotation showed these non-redundant sequences are involved in stress response and innate immunity, metabolism and energy, information processing and regulation, binding, food storage, morphogenesis and development, cell skeleton and cycle, protein synthesis and folding. Approximately 28.2% (59/209) transcripts showed no significant similarity to any other sequence in the public databases, probably representing unique genes of the onion maggot. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the relative expression levels of 18 genes were comparable between summer and winter diapause. This study elucidates the temporal expression of diapause-related genes in onion maggot, also provides new insights into the differences in the physiological changes in summer and winter pupae. Functional characterization of some candidate genes will further enhance the understanding of the generating, maintaining, and breaking mechanism of diapause.

[Efficacy of paliperidone extended-release tablets in the improvement of social functions in schizophrenics: a randomized and controlled study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of paliperidone extended-release tablets in the improvement of social functions in schizophrenics. METHODS: A total of 81 schizophrenics were randomly divided into study group with paliperidone extended-release tablets and control group with risperidone for a 12-week treatment. They were assessed and analyzed by positive and negative symptoms scales (PANSS), social disability screening schedule (SDSS) and treatment emergent symptom scale (TESS) at baseline, 6(th) weekend and 12(th) weekend. RESULTS: In study group, the factors and total scores of PANSS in the 12(th) weekend of treatment [(12.0 ± 2.8), (12.1 ± 3.6), (26.2 ± 5.0), (50.2 ± 8.7)] were all significantly lower than those at baseline [(24.7 ± 5.3), (23.8 ± 3.6), (45.0 ± 2.9), (93.5 ± 6.8)] (t = 9.60-16.78, P < 0.05). In study group, the positive factor, negative factor and total scores of PANSS in the 12(th) weekend of treatment [(12.0 ± 2.8), (12.1 ± 3.6), (50.2 ± 8.7)] were all significantly lower than those in the 6(th) weekend of treatment [(14.2 ± 1.8), (14.6 ± 2.4), (56.5 ± 6.4)] (t = 2.58-4.26, P < 0.05). In the 12(th) weekend of treatment, the factors and total scores of PANSS in study group [(12.0 ± 2.8), (12.1 ± 3.6), (26.2 ± 5.0), (50.2 ± 8.7)] were all significantly lower than those in control group [(16.9 ± 4.9), (18.7 ± 5.3), (32.5 ± 5.1), (68.1 ± 13.0)] (t = -4.28--5.67, P < 0.05). In study group, the total scores of SDSS in the 12(th) weekend of treatment (5.93 ± 2.78) were significantly lower than those at baseline (13.9 ± 3.4) (t = 10.83, P < 0.05). In study group, the total scores of SDSS in the 12(th) weekend of treatment (5.9 ± 2.8) were significantly lower than those in the 6(th) weekend of treatment (7.6 ± 2.9) (t = 5.21, P < 0.05). But there was no significant improvement in control group (t = 1.88, P > 0.05). In the 12(th) weekend of treatment, the total scores of SDSS in study group (5.9 ± 2.8) were significantly lower than those in control group (8.8 ± 2.9) (t = -4.49, P < 0.05). No severe adverse effect was reported in either group. CONCLUSION: Paliperidone extended-release tablets are effective to improve social functions and psychiatric symptoms of schizophrenics.