Ben-JNK signaling is required for host mortality during Periplaneta fuliginosa densovirus infection.

BACKGROUND: Cockroaches are widely acknowledged as significant vectors of pathogenic microorganisms. The Periplaneta fuliginosa densovirus (PfDNV) infects the smoky-brown cockroach P. fuliginosa and causes host mortality, which identifies the PfDNV as a species-specific and environmentally friendly biopesticide. However, although the biochemical characterization of PfDNV has been extensively studied, the immune response against PfDNV remains largely unclear. RESULTS: Here, we investigated the replication of PfDNV and its associated pathological phenotype in the foregut and hindgut. Consequently, we dissected and performed transcriptome sequencing on the foregut, midgut, and hindgut separately. We revealed the up-regulation of immune response signaling pathway c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and apoptosis in response to viral infection. Furthermore, knockdown of the JNK upstream gene Ben resulted in a decrease in virus titer and delayed host mortality. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our findings provide evidence that the Ben-JNK signaling plays a crucial role in PfDNV infection, leading to excessive apoptosis in intestinal tissues and ultimately resulting in the death of the host. Our results indicated that the host response to PfDNV fosters viral infection, thereby increasing host lethality. This underscores the potential of PfDNV as a viable, environmentally friendly biopesticide. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Two sex pheromone receptors for sexual communication in the American cockroach.

Volatile sex pheromones are vital for sexual communication between males and females. Females of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, produce and emit two sex pheromone components, periplanone-A (PA) and periplanone-B (PB). Although PB is the major sex attractant and can attract males, how it interacts with PA in regulating sexual behaviors is still unknown. In this study, we found that in male cockroaches, PA counteracted PB attraction. We identified two odorant receptors (ORs), OR53 and OR100, as PB/PA and PA receptors, respectively. OR53 and OR100 were predominantly expressed in the antennae of sexually mature males, and their expression levels were regulated by the sex differentiation pathway and nutrition-responsive signals. Cellular localization of OR53 and OR100 in male antennae further revealed that two types of sensilla coordinate a complex two-pheromone-two-receptor pathway in regulating cockroach sexual behaviors. These findings indicate distinct functions of the two sex pheromone components, identify their receptors and possible regulatory mechanisms underlying the male-specific and age-dependent sexual behaviors, and can guide novel strategies for pest management.

The appearance of cytoplasmic cytochrome C precedes apoptosis during Drosophila salivary gland degradation.

Apoptosis is an important process for organism development that functions to eliminate cell damage, maintain homeostasis, and remove obsolete tissues during morphogenesis. In mammals, apoptosis is accompanied by the release of cytochrome C (Cyt-c) from mitochondria to the cytoplasm. However, whether this process is conserved in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, remains controversial. In this study, we discovered that during the degradation of Drosophila salivary gland, the transcription of mitochondria apoptosis factors (MAPFs), Cyt-c, and death-associated APAF1-related killer (Dark) encoding genes are all upregulated antecedent to initiator and effector caspases encoding genes. The proteins Cyt-c and the active caspase 3 appear gradually in the cytoplasm during salivary gland degradation. Meanwhile, the Cyt-c protein colocates with mito-GFP, the marker indicating cytoplasmic mitochondria, and the change in mitochondrial membrane potential coincides with the appearance of Cyt-c in the cytoplasm. Moreover, impeding or promoting 20E-induced transcription factor E93 suppresses or enhances the staining of Cyt-c and the active caspase 3 in the cytoplasm of salivary gland, and accordingly decreases or increases the mitochondrial membrane potential, respectively. Our research provides evidence that cytoplasmic Cyt-c appears before apoptosis during Drosophila salivary gland degradation, shedding light on partial conserved mechanism in apoptosis between insects and mammals.

The mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic position of a conehead katydid Euconocephalus pallidus (Insecta: Orthoptera).

The complete mitochondrial genome of a conehead katydid Euconocephalus pallidus was determined. The mitochondrial genome is 15,888 bp in size with an A + T content of 71.67%. It contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a control region. The order and orientation of these genes conform to the ancestral form of insects. Phylogenetic analysis supports a close relationship between E. pallidus and E. nasutus.