Gene and expression analysis of the hexamerin family proteins from the grasshopper, Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)

Hexamerins are large hemolymph-proteins that have been discovered in all insect species. According to the present study, hexamerins are not only storage proteins that provide amino acids and energy, but also transport hormones such as ecdysteroids. The hexamerin family genes cDNA from the grasshoppe...

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Main Authors: Yanli Li, Zitong Zhang, Li Feng, Xueqian Zhao, Dao Chuan Zhang, Hong Yin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2017-11-01
Series:Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13102818.2017.1373601
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author Yanli Li
Zitong Zhang
Li Feng
Xueqian Zhao
Dao Chuan Zhang
Hong Yin
author_facet Yanli Li
Zitong Zhang
Li Feng
Xueqian Zhao
Dao Chuan Zhang
Hong Yin
author_sort Yanli Li
collection DOAJ
description Hexamerins are large hemolymph-proteins that have been discovered in all insect species. According to the present study, hexamerins are not only storage proteins that provide amino acids and energy, but also transport hormones such as ecdysteroids. The hexamerin family genes cDNA from the grasshopper Locusta migratoria were cloned using RT-PCR and RACE methods. The biological functions of LmiHx5 were studied by RNA interference (RNAi), and qRT-PCR was performed to detect LmiHx transcripts after RNAi. Compared to the transcription database previously obtained, four family members (LmiHx1, LmiHx2, LmiHx4 and LmiHx5) of different LmiHx were determined. Homologous sequence alignments showed that the consistency of the amino acid sequence of LmiHx family members was 32%–43% and their encoded protein have the same three hemocyanin domains: hemocyanin-C, hemocyanin-N and hemocyanin-M. Gene expression patterns in different tissues and at different developmental stages showed that the LmiHx family genes are widely expressed in both female and male adults and at all developmental stages. The expression showed cyclical fluctuation with the nymphs molt. In addition, LmiHx2 mRNA expression level was the highest in fat body. LmiHx5 mRNA levels substantially decreased at 12, 24 and 48 h after dsLmiHx5 injection compared to the negative controls and almost not expressed at 96 h after dsRNA injection. The relative expression levels of other hexamerin family members showed varying degrees of increase after LmiHx5 RNAi. We speculate that hexamerin family gene members showed functional compensation.
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spelling doaj.art-7f1c85c33a654460b9c8cb1cc2e80dfd2022-12-21T23:56:50ZengTaylor & Francis GroupBiotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment1310-28181314-35302017-11-013161139114710.1080/13102818.2017.13736011373601Gene and expression analysis of the hexamerin family proteins from the grasshopper, Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)Yanli Li0Zitong Zhang1Li Feng2Xueqian Zhao3Dao Chuan Zhang4Hong Yin5College of Life Sciences, Hebei UniversityCollege of Life Sciences, Hebei UniversityCollege of Life Sciences, Hebei UniversityCollege of Life Sciences, Hebei UniversityCollege of Life Sciences, Hebei UniversityCollege of Life Sciences, Hebei UniversityHexamerins are large hemolymph-proteins that have been discovered in all insect species. According to the present study, hexamerins are not only storage proteins that provide amino acids and energy, but also transport hormones such as ecdysteroids. The hexamerin family genes cDNA from the grasshopper Locusta migratoria were cloned using RT-PCR and RACE methods. The biological functions of LmiHx5 were studied by RNA interference (RNAi), and qRT-PCR was performed to detect LmiHx transcripts after RNAi. Compared to the transcription database previously obtained, four family members (LmiHx1, LmiHx2, LmiHx4 and LmiHx5) of different LmiHx were determined. Homologous sequence alignments showed that the consistency of the amino acid sequence of LmiHx family members was 32%–43% and their encoded protein have the same three hemocyanin domains: hemocyanin-C, hemocyanin-N and hemocyanin-M. Gene expression patterns in different tissues and at different developmental stages showed that the LmiHx family genes are widely expressed in both female and male adults and at all developmental stages. The expression showed cyclical fluctuation with the nymphs molt. In addition, LmiHx2 mRNA expression level was the highest in fat body. LmiHx5 mRNA levels substantially decreased at 12, 24 and 48 h after dsLmiHx5 injection compared to the negative controls and almost not expressed at 96 h after dsRNA injection. The relative expression levels of other hexamerin family members showed varying degrees of increase after LmiHx5 RNAi. We speculate that hexamerin family gene members showed functional compensation.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13102818.2017.1373601Grasshopperhexamerin family genescloningexpressionRNAi
spellingShingle Yanli Li
Zitong Zhang
Li Feng
Xueqian Zhao
Dao Chuan Zhang
Hong Yin
Gene and expression analysis of the hexamerin family proteins from the grasshopper, Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)
Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment
Grasshopper
hexamerin family genes
cloning
expression
RNAi
title Gene and expression analysis of the hexamerin family proteins from the grasshopper, Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)
title_full Gene and expression analysis of the hexamerin family proteins from the grasshopper, Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)
title_fullStr Gene and expression analysis of the hexamerin family proteins from the grasshopper, Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)
title_full_unstemmed Gene and expression analysis of the hexamerin family proteins from the grasshopper, Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)
title_short Gene and expression analysis of the hexamerin family proteins from the grasshopper, Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)
title_sort gene and expression analysis of the hexamerin family proteins from the grasshopper locusta migratoria orthoptera acridoidea
topic Grasshopper
hexamerin family genes
cloning
expression
RNAi
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13102818.2017.1373601
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