Exploring the contribution of the salivary gland and midgut to digestion in the swede midge (Contarinia nasturtii) through a genomics-guided approach.

The larvae of Contarinia nasturtii (Kieffer) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), the swede midge, targets the meristem of brassica crops where they induce the formation of galls and disrupt seed and vegetable production. Previously, we examined the salivary gland transcriptome of newly-hatched first instar larvae as they penetrated the host and initiated gall formation. Here we examine the salivary gland and midgut transcriptome of third instar larvae and provide evidence for cooperative nutrient acquisition beginning with secretion of enzymes and feeding facilitators followed by gastrointestinal digestion.

Defects in Glabrous 3 (GL3) functionality underlie the absence of trichomes in Brassica napus.

Previously, expression of the Arabidopsis thaliana GLABRA3 (GL3) induced trichome formation in Brassica napus. GL3 orthologues were examined from glabrous (B. oleracea), semi-glabrous (B.

Peritrophins are involved in the defense against Bacillus thuringiensis and nucleopolyhedrovirus formulations in Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The peritrophic matrix (or peritrophic membrane, PM) is present in most insects where it acts as a barrier to mechanical insults and pathogens, as well as a facilitator of digestive processes. The PM is formed by the binding of structural PM proteins, referred to as peritrophins, to chitin fibrils and spans the entire midgut in lepidopterans. To investigate the role of peritrophins in a highly polyphagous lepidopteran pest, namely the cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis), we generated Insect Intestinal Mucin (IIM) and non-mucin Peritrophin (PER) mutant strains via CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis.

Sources of genomic diversity in the self-fertile plant pathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and consequences for resistance breeding.

The ascomycete, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, has a broad host range and causes yield loss in dicotyledonous crops world wide. Genomic diversity was determined in a population of 127 isolates obtained from individual canola (Brassica napus) fields in western Canada. Genotyping with 39 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers revealed each isolate was a unique haplotype.

What You Eat Matters: Nutrient Inputs Alter the Metabolism and Neuropeptide Expression in Egyptian Cotton Leaf Worm, (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Lipids and carbohydrates are the two primary energy sources for both animals and insects. Energy homeostasis is under strict control by the neuroendocrine system, and disruption of energy homeostasis leads to the development of various disorders, such as obesity, diabetes, fatty liver syndrome, and cardiac dysfunction. One critical factor in this respect is feeding habits and diet composition.

Engineering a feedback inhibition-insensitive plant dihydrodipicolinate synthase to increase lysine content in Camelina sativa seeds.

Camelina sativa (camelina) is emerging as an alternative oilseed crop due to its short growing cycle, low input requirements, adaptability to less favorable growing environments and a seed oil profile suitable for biofuel and industrial applications. Camelina meal and oil are also registered for use in animal and fish feeds; however, like meals derived from most cereals and oilseeds, it is deficient in certain essential amino acids, such as lysine. In higher plants, the reaction catalyzed by dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS) is the first committed step in the biosynthesis of lysine and is subject to regulation by lysine through feedback inhibition.

Horizontally transmitted parasitoid killing factor shapes insect defense to parasitoids.

Interkingdom competition occurs between hymenopteran parasitoids and insect viruses sharing the same insect hosts. It has been assumed that parasitoid larvae die with the death of the infected host or as result of competition for host resources. Here we describe a gene family, (), that encodes proteins toxic to parasitoids of the Microgastrinae group and determines parasitism success.

Silencing of an ABC transporter, but not a cadherin, decreases the susceptibility of Colorado potato beetle larvae to Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. tenebrionis Cry3Aa toxin.

The Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a major pest of potato plants worldwide and is notorious for its ability to develop resistance to insecticides. Cry3 toxins synthesized by Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. tenebrionis have been used successfully to manage this pest.

De Novo Whole-Genome Assembly of the Swede Midge (Contarinia nasturtii), a Specialist of Brassicaceae, Using Linked-Read Sequencing.

The swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii, is a cecidomyiid fly that feeds specifically on plants within the Brassicaceae. Plants in this family employ a glucosinolate-myrosinase defense system, which can be highly toxic to nonspecialist feeders. Feeding by C.

Characterization of calcium signaling proteins from the fat body of the Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Implications for diapause and lipid metabolism.

Calcium (Ca) regulates many cellular and physiological processes from development to reproduction. Ca is also an important factor in the metabolism of lipids, the primary energy source used during insect starvation and diapause. Ca signaling proteins bind to Ca and maintain intracellular Ca levels.

Subunit composition affects formation and stabilization of o/w emulsions by 11S seed storage protein cruciferin.

The 11S globulin cruciferin is the major storage protein in Brassicaceae/Cruciferae seeds and exists as a hexamer in its natural configuration. Arabidopsis thaliana cruciferin is composed of CRUA, CRUB and CRUC subunits. Wild type (WT) cruciferin and cruciferins composed only of identical CRUA, CRUB and CRUC subunits were examined for their ability to form and stabilize oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions.

Two calcium-binding chaperones from the fat body of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) involved in diapause.

Molecular chaperones are crucial for the correct folding of newly synthesized polypeptides, in particular, under stress conditions. Various studies have revealed the involvement of molecular chaperones, such as heat shock proteins, in diapause maintenance and starvation; however, the role of other chaperones in diapause and starvation relatively is unknown. In the current study, we identified two lectin-type chaperones with calcium affinity, a calreticulin (LdCrT) and a calnexin (LdCnX), that were present in the fat body of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) during diapause.

A look into Colorado potato beetle lipid metabolism through the lens of lipid storage droplet proteins.

The Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) inflicts serious damage to potato plants by feeding ravenously on their leaves. Adult L.decemlineata have a photoperiod-induced dormancy response, also known as diapause, which allows them to survive severe winter conditions by digging into soil.

Receptor-Like Kinases BAK1 and SOBIR1 Are Required for Necrotizing Activity of a Novel Group of Necrosis-Inducing Effectors.

is a characteristic necrotrophic plant pathogen and is dependent on the induction of host cell death for nutrient acquisition. To identify necrosis-inducing effectors, the genome of was scanned for genes encoding small, secreted, cysteine-rich proteins. These potential effectors were tested for their ability to induce necrosis in -mediated expression and for cellular localization in host cells.

CRISPR/Cas9 editing of three CRUCIFERIN C homoeologues alters the seed protein profile in Camelina sativa.

Background: The oilseed Camelina sativa is grown for a range of applications, including for biofuel, biolubricants, and as a source of omega-3 fatty acids for the aquaculture feed industry. The seed meal co-product is used as a source of protein for animal feed; however, the low value of the meal hinders profitability and more widespread application of camelina. The nutritional quality of the seed meal is largely determined by the abundance of specific seed storage proteins and their amino acid composition.

Examining population structure of a bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), outbreak in western North America: Implications for gene flow and dispersal.

The bertha armyworm (BAW), Mamestra configurata, is a significant pest of canola (Brassica napus L. and B. rapa L.

Role of the peritrophic matrix in insect-pathogen interactions.

The peritrophic matrix (PM) is an acellular chitin and glycoprotein layer that lines the invertebrate midgut. The PM has long been considered a physical as well as a biochemical barrier, protecting the midgut epithelium from abrasive food particles, digestive enzymes and pathogens infectious per os. This short review will focus on the latter function, as a barrier to pathogens infectious per os.

Aster leafhopper survival and reproduction, and Aster yellows transmission under static and fluctuating temperatures, using ddPCR for phytoplasma quantification.

Aster yellows (AY) is an important disease of Brassica crops and is caused by Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris and transmitted by the insect vector, Aster leafhopper (Macrosteles quadrilineatus). Phytoplasma-infected Aster leafhoppers were incubated at various constant and fluctuating temperatures ranging from 0 to 35 °C with the reproductive host plant barley (Hordium vulgare). At 0 °C, leafhopper adults survived for 18 days, but failed to reproduce, whereas at 35 °C insects died within 18 days, but successfully reproduced before dying.

Proteomics analysis of Trichoplusia ni midgut epithelial cell brush border membrane vesicles.

The insect midgut epithelium is composed of columnar, goblet, and regenerative cells. Columnar epithelial cells are the most abundant and have membrane protrusions that form the brush border membrane (BBM) on their apical side. These increase surface area available for the transport of nutrients, but also provide opportunities for interaction with xenobiotics such as pathogens, toxins and host plant allelochemicals.

Changes in the Sclerotinia sclerotiorum transcriptome during infection of Brassica napus.

Background: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causes stem rot in Brassica napus, which leads to lodging and severe yield losses. Although recent studies have explored significant progress in the characterization of individual S. sclerotiorum pathogenicity factors, a gap exists in profiling gene expression throughout the course of S.