Hybridization of automation practical courses.

Since 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has led universities around the world to hybridize courses (i.e., replacement of classroom time by online activities), most often as a matter of urgency. The difficulty of hybridization depends on the kind of course (lectures, tutorials, practical works) and the type of course (mathematics, chemistry, engineering, informatics…). ET-LIOS is a 2 year project started in November 2020, led by the GIS S.mart (scientific interest French grouping for Industry 4.0) and 14 French universities. The objective is to propose solutions and resources to hybridize higher education courses dedicated to the Industry of the Future. In this paper, firstly, we present the problems to be solved to hybridize practical works. One of the challenges is to carry out solutions which can be used easily and adapted by all partners of the ET-LIOS. Secondly, for combinatorial logic practical work, we propose to use simulation softwares (HOME I/O and CONNECT I/O) installed on the students' computer, conjointly with customizable SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) packages which can be integrated in existing learning platforms of course management (LMS) like Moodle. This SCORM package enables students to test and to get feedback of their proposed solutions. The approach has been tested with Bachelor students in a combinatorial logic practical work. First results are very encouraging.

Evidence for a role of oestrogen receptor-related receptor in the regulation of male sexual behaviour in the moth Agrotis ipsilon.

The oestrogen receptor-related receptors (ERRs) are orphan nuclear receptors that were originally identified on the basis of their close homology to the oestrogen receptors. The three mammalian ERR genes participate in the regulation of vital physiological processes including reproduction, development and metabolic homeostasis. Although unique ERRs have been found in insects, data on the function and regulation of these receptors remain sparse. In the present study, a 2095-bp full-length cDNA encoding an ERR, termed AiERR, was isolated from males of the moth Agrotis ipsilon and deposited in the GenBank database under the accession number KT944662. The predicted AiERR protein shared an overall identity of 47-82% with other known insect and mammalian ERR homologues. AiERR exhibited a broad tissue expression pattern with the detection of one transcript of approximately 2 kb in the primary olfactory centres, the antennal lobes (AL). In adult males, the amount of AiERR mRNA in the AL increased concomitantly with age and responses to the female-emitted sex pheromone. Moreover, AiERR knockdown induced an inhibition in the sex pheromone-orientated flight of male. Using A. ipsilon as a model, our study demonstrates that the insect ERR is critical for the performance of male sexual behaviour, probably by acting on central pheromone processing.

Cloning of an octopamine/tyramine receptor and plasticity of its expression as a function of adult sexual maturation in the male moth Agrotis ipsilon.

In the male moth Agrotis ipsilon behavioural response and antennal lobe (AL) neuron sensitivity to the female-produced sex pheromone increase with age and juvenile hormone (JH) level. We recently showed that the neuromodulator, octopamine (OA), interacts with JH in this age-dependent olfactory plasticity. To further elucidate its role, we cloned a full cDNA encoding a protein that presents biochemical features essential to OA/tyramine receptor (AipsOAR/TAR) function. The AipsOAR/TAR transcript was detected predominantly in the antennae, the brain and, more specifically, in ALs where its expression level varied concomitantly with age. This expression plasticity indicates that AipsOAR/TAR might be involved in central processing of the pheromone signal during maturation of sexual behaviour in A. ipsilon.

A diversity of putative carboxylesterases are expressed in the antennae of the noctuid moth Spodoptera littoralis.

Recent studies have suggested that pheromone-degrading enzymes belonging to the carboxylesterase family could play a role in the dynamics of the olfactory response to acetate sex pheromones in insects. Bioinformatic analyses of a male antennal expressed sequence tag library allowed the identification of 19 putative esterase genes expressed in the antennae of the moth Spodoptera littoralis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these genes belong to different insect esterase clades, defined by their putative cellular localization and substrate preferences. Interestingly, two of the 19 genes appeared to be antennal specific, suggesting a specific role in olfactory processing. This high esterase diversity suggested that the antennae are the location for intense esterase-based metabolism, against potentially a large range of exogenous and endogenous molecules.

A TRP channel is expressed in Spodoptera littoralis antennae and is potentially involved in insect olfactory transduction.

The molecular characterization of post-receptor actors involved in insect olfactory transduction has yet to be understood. We have investigated the presence of a Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channel in the peripheral olfactory system of the moth Spodoptera littoralis. A cDNA encoding a Lepidopteran TRP channel (TRPgamma) was identified by analysis of a male-antennal EST database and subsequently cloned by RACE PCR. In adult males, the TRPgamma transcript was detected in antennae, at the base of olfactory sensilla. Moreover, TRPgamma was observed in antennae in both pupal and adult stages. This work is the first step in understanding the involvement of TRPgamma in signalling pathways involved in the development and function of the insect olfactory system.

Molecular cloning and expression patterns of a putative olfactory diacylglycerol kinase from the noctuid moth Spodoptera littoralis.

In the aim of the characterization of the molecular actors of insect olfactory transduction, we have cloned the full cDNA encoding a Spodoptera littoralis diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) named SlDGK. In male adults, SlDGK transcript was detected predominantly in the brain and in the olfactory sensilla trichodea located on the antennae. SlDGK expression was first detected at day 3 of the pupal stage, then reached a maximum at the end of this stage and was maintained at this level during the adult period. These data provide the first molecular characterization of a DGK potentially involved in the regulation of signalling pathways responsible for the establishment and/or the functioning of the olfactory system in Lepidoptera.

Identification of steroid hormone signaling pathway in insect cell differentiation.

To dissect the steroid hormone signaling pathway involved in insect cell morphological differentiation, we extended the application of the double-stranded RNA-mediated interference (dsRNAi) method to the epidermal IAL-PID2 cell line from Plodia interpunctella Lepidoptera. We first demonstrated that dsRNA was capable of efficiently blocking the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) inducibility of proteins that belong to the nuclear receptor superfamily, including the ecdysone receptor (EcR), its partner Ultraspiracle (USP), the insect homolog of the vertebrate retinoid X receptor and the HR3 transcription factor. We then showed that inhibiting the 20E induction of EcR, USP or HR3 proteins prevented the increased synthesis of beta tubulin and consequently the morphological transformation of cells. Thanks to this functional approach, we have shown, for the first time, the participation of EcR, USP and HR3 in a 20E signaling pathway that directs morphological differentiation in insect cells by regulating beta tubulin expression.

Cell cycle profiles of EcR, USP, HR3 and B cyclin mRNAs associated to 20E-induced G2 arrest of Plodia interpunctella imaginal wing cells.

Using the IAL-PID2 cell line established from pupally committed imaginal wing discs of Plodia interpunctella, we have investigated the dynamics of cellular and molecular events involved in the G2/M arrest. We have first cloned a cDNA sequence named PIUSP-2 that likely encodes a homologue of the Ultraspiracle-2 isoform of Manduca sexta. When the IAL-PID2 cells were exposed to a 8 h 20E treatment applied at different times of the cell cycle, an optimal period of sensitivity of cells to 20E, in inducing G2 arrest, was determined at the S/G2 transition. Using cDNA probes specifically designed from Plodia B cyclin (PcycB), ecdysone receptor B1-isoform (PIEcR-B1) and HR3 transcription factor (PHR3), we provide evidence that the 20E-induced G2 arrest was correlated to a high induction of PHR3, PIEcR-B1, PIUSP-2 mRNAs at the S/G2 transition and a decrease in PcycB mRNA level at the end of G2 phase.

Synchronization of Plodia interpunctella lepidopteran cells and effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone.

We have investigated the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the control of insect cell cycle by 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) using the IAL-PID2 cell line established from imaginal wing discs of Plodia interpunctella. We first defined conditions for use of hydroxyurea, a reversible inhibitor of DNA synthesis, in order to synchronize the IAL-PID2 cells in their division cycle. A high degree of synchrony was reached when cells were exposed to two consecutive hydroxyurea treatments at 1 mm for 36 h spaced 16 h apart. Under these conditions, flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that 20E at 10(-6) m induced an inhibition of cell growth by an arrest of 90% of the cells in G2/M phase. Using cDNA probes specifically designed from E75 and HR3 nuclear receptors of Plodia interpunctella, we showed that PiE75 and PHR3 were highly induced by 20E through S and G2 phases with maximal enhancement just before the G2/M arrest of cells. These findings suggest that PiE75 and PHR3 could be involved in a 20E-induced genetic cascade leading to G2/M arrest.

Periodic expression of an ecdysteroid-induced nuclear receptor in a lepidopteran cell line (IAL-PID2).

A set of DNA primers was designed within the DNA-binding domain of the Manduca hormone receptor 3 (MHR3) cDNA. These primers were used in RT-PCR to isolate a 204 bp cDNA fragment from IAL-PID2 cells exposed to 10(-6) M 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) for 12 h. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA fragment presented 100% identity with the zinc finger domain of Manduca hormone receptor 3 (MHR3), Galleria hormone receptor 3 (GHR3) and Choristoneura hormone receptor 3 (CHR3). This cDNA fragment was used as a probe on total RNA from IAL-PID2 cells exposed to 20E and hybridized to mRNA, the size of which was close to 4.5 kb and named Plodia hormone receptor 3 (PHR3). Kinetics of induction of PHR3 mRNA were similar to that of HR3 genes but varied according to the position of cells in their cell cycle. The non-steroidal ecdysone agonist, RH-5992 induced the expression of PHR3 at lower concentrations than 20E. From sequence similarity, mRNA size, 20E and RH-5992 inducibilities, we conclude that PHR3 transcript could encode a Plodia hormone receptor 3 involved in the genetic signalling cascade of 20E. Thanks to its periodic expression, this putative orphan nuclear receptor could serve as a suitable cellular marker for studying changes of epidermal cell sensitivity to 20E during the cell cycle.

Cress and potato soluble epoxide hydrolases: purification, biochemical characterization, and comparison to mammalian enzymes.

Affinity chromatographic methods were developed for the one-step purification to homogeneity of recombinant soluble epoxide hydrolases (sEHs) from cress and potato. The enzymes are monomeric, with masses of 36 and 39 kDa and pI values of 4.5 and 5.0, respectively. In spite of a large difference in sequence, the two plant enzymes have properties of inhibition and substrate selectivity which differ only slightly from mammalian sEHs. Whereas mammalian sEHs are highly selective for trans- versus cis-substituted stilbene oxide and 1,3-diphenylpropene oxide (DPPO), plant sEHs exhibit far greater selectivity for trans- versus cis-stilbene oxide, but little to no selectivity for DPPO isomers. The isolation of a covalently linked plant sEH-substrate complex indicated that the plant and mammalian sEHs have a similar mechanism of action. We hypothesize an in vivo role for plant sEH in cutin biosynthesis, based on relatively high plant sEH activity on epoxystearate to form a cutin precursor, 9,10-dihydroxystearate. Plant sEHs display a high thermal stability relative to mammalian sEHs. This stability and their high enantioselectivity for a single substrate suggest that their potential as biocatalysts for the preparation of enantiopure epoxides should be evaluated.

Expression and characterization of the recombinant juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase (JHEH) from Manduca sexta.

The cDNA of the microsomal Juvenile Hormone Epoxide Hydrolase (JHEH) from Manduca sexta was expressed in vitro in the baculovirus system. In insect cell culture, the recombinant enzyme (Ms-JHEH) was produced at a high level (100 fold over background EH catalytic activity). As expected, Ms-JHEH was localized in the microsomal fraction with a molecular mass of approximately 50 kDa. Ms-JHEH showed a substrate and inhibitor spectrum similar to the wild type JHEH isolated from eggs of M. sexta. Its enzymatic activity was the highest for Juvenile Hormone III. Ms-JHEH hydrolyzed several trans-epoxides faster than cis-epoxides. A putative hydroxyl-acyl enzyme intermediate was isolated suggesting a catalytic mechanism of Ms-JHEH similar to the mammalian EHs.

The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor fluvastatin inhibits insect juvenile hormone biosynthesis.

Fluvastatin (Sandoz Compound XU 62-320), a synthetic HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, was assayed in vitro and in vivo for its ability to suppress juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis by corpora allata of Locusta migratoria migratorioides. Fluvastatin inhibited JH biosynthesis by corpora allata in vitro. Exogenous mevalonic acid lactone restored JH biosynthesis in corpora allata inhibited by fluvastatin. Fluvastatin injected into locusts in vivo inhibited JH biosynthesis, but maximal inhibition lasted for only 6 hr. There were no discernible effects on either JH-regulated metamorphosis or oocyte maturation. Lengthening of the fourth larval stadium was observed and increased doses (single or repeated injections) were fatal.