Systemic identification and analyses of genes potentially involved in chemosensory in the devastating tea pest Basilepta melanopus.

Basilepta melanopus is a serious insect pest of tea plantations in southern China. This tea pest poses a great threat to the tea industry in China. No effective and environmentally friendly methods have been established to control this pest at present. Olfactory genes play key roles in insect behaviour, and can potentially be used as targets for developing environmentally-friendly approaches for pest control. In this study, we produced a transcriptome derived from dissected antennae from B. melanopus using high-throughput sequencing. We identified gene families that are potentially involved in odorant reception and detection, including unigenes encoding 63 odorant receptors (ORs), 16 gustatory receptors (GRs), 18 ionotropic receptors (IRs), four sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs), 46 odorant binding proteins (OBPs), and 19 chemosensory proteins (CSPs). Analyses of tissue expression profiles revealed that all 63 OR transcripts, 14 antennal IRs, one SNMP and six OBPs were predominately expressed in antennae. Real-time quantitative PCR assays were also adapted to examine sex-biased expression of selected antenna-predominant genes. Our results provide valuable information for further functional studies of olfactory genes in B. melanopus and potential novel targets for developing new pest control measures.

[Adenovirus vector mediated human 14-3-3 γ gene transfer protects dopaminergic cells against rotenone-induced injury].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effect of human 14-3-3 γ gene transfer on dopaminergic cells against rotenone-induced injury. METHODS: Adenovirus vector carrying the gene of 14-3-3 γ (Ad/14-3-3 γ) was employed to transfect PC12 cells. Then the cells were exposed to rotenone as a model of Parkinson's disease. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) was used to assay the viability of PC12 cells. The 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining was used to analyze the apoptotic ratio of PC12 cells among the groups of control, Ad/14-3-3 γ, Ad-null and Rotenone. And high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed to detect the secreting functions of PC12 cells. The aggregates of α-Synuclein protein were detected under confocal microscopy. RESULTS: MTT showed that the cell absorbance A(570) of Ad/14-3-3 γ group (0.46 ± 0.09) was higher than that of Ad-null group (0.19 ± 0.08) and rotenone group (0.16 ± 0.07), but lower than that of normal control (0.63 ± 0.11), (all P < 0.01); HPLC-ECD showed that the levels of dopamine (189 ± 11) ng/ml and noradrenalin (55 ± 8) ng/ml in the culture fluid of Ad/14-3-3 γ group were higher than those of Ad-null group (79 ± 12, 38 ± 7) ng/ml and rotenone group (81 ± 13, 39 ± 7) ng/ml (all P < 0.01). DAPI staining showed that cell apoptosis ratio of group Ad/14-3-3 γ (27% ± 64%) was lower than that of group Ad-null (53% ± 10%) and rotenone group (56% ± 12%, P < 0.01), but higher than that of control group (10% ± 5%, P < 0.01). Under confocal microscopy, the aggregates of α-synuclein protein in PC12 cells were detected more in Ad-null group and rotenone group than that in Ad/14-3-3 γ group. CONCLUSION: Gene transfer of Ad/14-3-3 γ has a protective effect on dopaminergic cells against rotenone-induced injury.

Electroantennogram responses of the tea slug moth, Iragoides fasciata to some plant volatiles associated with tea, Camellia sinensis.

Electroantennogram responses to a wide range of plant volatile compounds that have been identified in tea plants Camellia sinensis L. (Ericales: Theaceae) were recorded from males and females of the tea slug moth, Iragoides fasciata Moore (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae). The responses to 26 compounds, belonging to several chemical classes, and two mixtures were evaluated. The results showed significantly different electroantennogram responses to the different chemicals, as well as significantly different responses according to gender. The green leaf volatile components elicited significantly greater responses in males. In general, the antennae of males were more sensitive, and responded more strongly, to most of the compounds. Responses to sesquiterpenoids were lower in both males and females. Dose-dependent response studies indicated differences in response between genders and concentrations, suggesting the existence of sexual dimorphism. Compounds belonging to the green leaf volatiles class appeared to be important clues in host-plant selection by this oligophagous species.