Discovery and Characterization of MaK: A Novel Knottin Antimicrobial Peptide from Monochamus alternatus.

Knottin-type antimicrobial peptides possess exceptional attributes, such as high efficacy, low vulnerability to drug resistance, minimal toxicity, and precise targeting of drug sites. These peptides play a crucial role in the innate immunity of insects, offering protection against bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Knottins have garnered considerable interest as promising contenders for drug development due to their ability to bridge the gap between small molecules and protein-based biopharmaceuticals, effectively addressing the therapeutic limitations of both modalities. This work presents the isolation and identification of a novel antimicrobial peptide derived from Monochamus alternatus. The cDNA encodes a 56-amino acid knottin propeptide, while the mature peptide comprises only 34 amino acids. We have labeled this knottin peptide as MaK. Using chemically synthesized MaK, we evaluated its hemolytic activity, thermal stability, antibacterial properties, and efficacy against nematodes. The results of this study indicate that MaK is an exceptionally effective knottin-type peptide. It demonstrates low toxicity, superior stability, potent antibacterial activity, and the ability to suppress pine wood nematodes. Consequently, these findings suggest that MaK has potential use in developing innovative therapeutic agents to prevent and manage pine wilt disease.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Trictenotoma davidi Deyrolle, 1875 (Coleoptera: Trictenotomidae).

Trictenotoma davidi Deyrolle, 1875 is a beetle of the Trictenotomidae family. The length of the complete mitochondria genome of T. davidi was 15,910 bp with 24.1% GC content, including 39.9% A, 15.1% C, 9.0% G, and 36.0% T. The genome encoded 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs. Phylogenetic analysis showed that T. davidi was closely related to Vincenzellus ruficollis. This study provided useful genetic information for the evolution of T. davidi and Trictenotomidae insects.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Phloeosinus perlatus Chapuis, 1875 (Coleoptera: Scolytinae).

Phloeosinus perlatus Chapuis, 1875 (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) is a major boring pest of Chinese firs. The length of the complete mitochondria genome of P. perlatus was 17,054 bp with 29.7% GC content, including 30.0% A, 11.3% C, 18.4% G and 40.3% T. The genome encoded 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs. Phylogenetic analysis showed that P. perlatus was closely related to Scolytus seulensis. This study provided useful genetic information for the subsequent studying the prevention of P. perlatus.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Plagiodera versicolora (Laicharting)(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

Plagiodera versicolora (Laicharting) is a leaf-eating pest widely distributed in the world. In this study, the first complete mitochondrial genome of P. Versicolora (Laicharting) was assembled and analyzed. The complete mitochondrial genome of P. Versicolora (Laicharting) is 16,857 bp with 22.39% GC containing, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA), 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA), as well as an AT-rich region. Phylogenomic analysis indicated that P. Versicolora (Laicharting) is sister to Chrysomela populiThis study provides useful information for the identification of this species and the study of genetic evolution with other species of Chrysomelidae.

The complete mitochondria genome of Sipalus gigas (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Sipalus gigas is the main pine-hole borer of Pinus. The length of the complete mitochondria genome of S. gigas was 17,120 bp with 33.6% GC content, there were 35 genes including 13 protein-coding genes (CDS), 20 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs). This study provides useful genetic information for subsequent studying the prevention of S. gigas.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Anoplistes halodendri (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae).

In this study, we report the complete mitochondrial genome of Anoplistes halodendri, which covers a total of 15,697 bp in length with 28.27% GC content. The complete mitochondrial genome is composed of 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs) and also contains 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs) and two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs). Phylogenetic analysis of the A. halodendri with other 21 different species of Cerambycidae indicated that A. halodendri formed an isolated clade and belong to Cerambycinae. The results will be helpful to study the evolutionary relationship among the subfamilies of Cerambycidae.

Mediating Effects of Working Memory in the Relation Between Rapid Automatized Naming and Chinese Reading Comprehension.

This study examined the mediating role of working memory (WM) in the relation between rapid automatized naming (RAN) and Chinese reading comprehension. Three tasks assessing differentially visual and verbal components of WM were programmed by E-prime 2.0. Data collected from 55 Chinese college students were analyzed using correlations and hierarchical regression methods to determine the connection among RAN, reading comprehension, and WM components. Results showed that WM played a significant mediating role in the RAN-reading relation and that auditory WM made stronger contributions than visual WM. Taking into account of the multi-component nature of WM and the specificity of Chinese reading processing, this study discussed the mediating powers of the WM components, particularly auditory WM, further clarifying the possible components involved in the RAN-reading relation and thus providing some insight into the complicated Chinese reading process.