TGF-β Type II Receptor Punt Suppresses Antimicrobial Peptide Expression and Influences Development in <i>Tribolium castaneum</i>
The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily in insects regulated various physiological events, including immune response, growth and development, and metamorphosis. This complex network of signaling pathways involves conserved cell-surface receptors and signaling co-receptors that allow for...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/6/515 |
| _version_ | 1797594221228589056 |
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| author | Jingjing Li Bo Lyu Qisheng Song |
| author_facet | Jingjing Li Bo Lyu Qisheng Song |
| author_sort | Jingjing Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily in insects regulated various physiological events, including immune response, growth and development, and metamorphosis. This complex network of signaling pathways involves conserved cell-surface receptors and signaling co-receptors that allow for precisely coordinated cellular events. However, the roles of TGF-β receptors, particularly the type II receptor Punt, in mediating the innate immunity in insects remains unclear. In this study, we used the red flour beetle, <i>Tribolium castaneum</i>, as a model species to investigate the role of TGF-β type II receptor Punt in mediating antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expression. Developmental and tissue-specific transcript profiles revealed <i>Punt</i> was constitutively expressed throughout development, with the highest transcript level in 1-day female pupae and the lowest transcript level in 18-day larvae. Tissue specific expression profiles showed the highest transcript level of <i>Punt</i> was observed in the Malpighian tubule and ovary in 18-day larvae and 1-day female adults, respectively, suggesting Punt might have distinct functions in larvae and adults. Further results indicated that <i>Punt</i> RNAi in the 18-day larvae led to increased transcript level of AMP genes through transcription factor Relish, leading to inhibition of <i>Escherichia coli</i> proliferation. Knockdown of <i>Punt</i> in larvae also led to splitting of adult elytra and abnormal compound eyes. Furthermore, knockdown of <i>Punt</i> during the female pupal stage resulted in increased transcript levels of AMP genes, as well as abnormal ovary, reduced fecundity, and failure of eggs to hatch. This study deepens our understanding of the biological significance of Punt in insect TGF-β signaling and lays the groundwork for further research of its role in insect immune response, development, and reproduction. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:19:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a0b3d29abfb8433ab8f7e17b003a19dc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:19:36Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-a0b3d29abfb8433ab8f7e17b003a19dc2023-11-18T10:55:53ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502023-06-0114651510.3390/insects14060515TGF-β Type II Receptor Punt Suppresses Antimicrobial Peptide Expression and Influences Development in <i>Tribolium castaneum</i>Jingjing Li0Bo Lyu1Qisheng Song2Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USADivision of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USADivision of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USAThe transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily in insects regulated various physiological events, including immune response, growth and development, and metamorphosis. This complex network of signaling pathways involves conserved cell-surface receptors and signaling co-receptors that allow for precisely coordinated cellular events. However, the roles of TGF-β receptors, particularly the type II receptor Punt, in mediating the innate immunity in insects remains unclear. In this study, we used the red flour beetle, <i>Tribolium castaneum</i>, as a model species to investigate the role of TGF-β type II receptor Punt in mediating antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expression. Developmental and tissue-specific transcript profiles revealed <i>Punt</i> was constitutively expressed throughout development, with the highest transcript level in 1-day female pupae and the lowest transcript level in 18-day larvae. Tissue specific expression profiles showed the highest transcript level of <i>Punt</i> was observed in the Malpighian tubule and ovary in 18-day larvae and 1-day female adults, respectively, suggesting Punt might have distinct functions in larvae and adults. Further results indicated that <i>Punt</i> RNAi in the 18-day larvae led to increased transcript level of AMP genes through transcription factor Relish, leading to inhibition of <i>Escherichia coli</i> proliferation. Knockdown of <i>Punt</i> in larvae also led to splitting of adult elytra and abnormal compound eyes. Furthermore, knockdown of <i>Punt</i> during the female pupal stage resulted in increased transcript levels of AMP genes, as well as abnormal ovary, reduced fecundity, and failure of eggs to hatch. This study deepens our understanding of the biological significance of Punt in insect TGF-β signaling and lays the groundwork for further research of its role in insect immune response, development, and reproduction.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/6/515PuntTGF-β receptor<i>Tribolium castaneum</i>AMPimmune responseRNAi |
| spellingShingle | Jingjing Li Bo Lyu Qisheng Song TGF-β Type II Receptor Punt Suppresses Antimicrobial Peptide Expression and Influences Development in <i>Tribolium castaneum</i> Insects Punt TGF-β receptor <i>Tribolium castaneum</i> AMP immune response RNAi |
| title | TGF-β Type II Receptor Punt Suppresses Antimicrobial Peptide Expression and Influences Development in <i>Tribolium castaneum</i> |
| title_full | TGF-β Type II Receptor Punt Suppresses Antimicrobial Peptide Expression and Influences Development in <i>Tribolium castaneum</i> |
| title_fullStr | TGF-β Type II Receptor Punt Suppresses Antimicrobial Peptide Expression and Influences Development in <i>Tribolium castaneum</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | TGF-β Type II Receptor Punt Suppresses Antimicrobial Peptide Expression and Influences Development in <i>Tribolium castaneum</i> |
| title_short | TGF-β Type II Receptor Punt Suppresses Antimicrobial Peptide Expression and Influences Development in <i>Tribolium castaneum</i> |
| title_sort | tgf β type ii receptor punt suppresses antimicrobial peptide expression and influences development in i tribolium castaneum i |
| topic | Punt TGF-β receptor <i>Tribolium castaneum</i> AMP immune response RNAi |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/6/515 |
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