Sex determination has been studied in the model lepidopteran species Bombyx mori, but it remains poorly understood in lepidopteran pests. In the present study, we identified and characterized the Masculinizer (Masc) g...Sex determination has been studied in the model lepidopteran species Bombyx mori, but it remains poorly understood in lepidopteran pests. In the present study, we identified and characterized the Masculinizer (Masc) gene in a Noctuidae pest species, Agrotis ipsilon. Sequence analysis revealed that AiMasc encodes a protein of 658 amino acids that has two CCCH-type zinc finger domains and two conserved cysteine residues (Cys-277 and Cys-280). We assessed the masculinizing activity AiMasc in BmN cells and found that/z'Masc induced expression of the male-specific doublesex isoform. Disruption of Masc via clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) in A. ipsilon caused abnormalities in abdominal segments and external genitalia, resulting in male-specific sterility. These results suggest that Masc participates in the process of sex determination in A. ipsilon. Successful identification of sex-determination gene in a pest species may enable the development of novel genetic approaches for pest control.展开更多
We report the first description of the biology of non-bioluminescent Keroplatidae from China. The life cycle of Chetoneura shennonggongensis is documented from laboratory culture and from field observations. The larva...We report the first description of the biology of non-bioluminescent Keroplatidae from China. The life cycle of Chetoneura shennonggongensis is documented from laboratory culture and from field observations. The larval stage usually lasts 8-10 months. Large amounts of pupae are observed in late June, where they remain suspended horizontally or vertically from silk threads. The pupal suspending postures differ from other Keroplatidae species. Sexual differentiation is evident from the pupal stage. July is the peak time of adult emergence. Mating usually takes place immediately upon female emergence if adult males are available. The adult life span is short. Females live a maximum of 5 days and males 7 days. Egg development time varies from 20 30 days depending on environmental temperature. Larvae hang long sticky silk threads with a series of mucous droplets to capture prey. Some behaviors associated with snare construction and prey capture are also described.展开更多
基金the National Basic Research Program of China (2015CB755703)the National Science Foundation of China (31522053,31501648,3142010391 & and 91631103)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB11010600).
文摘Sex determination has been studied in the model lepidopteran species Bombyx mori, but it remains poorly understood in lepidopteran pests. In the present study, we identified and characterized the Masculinizer (Masc) gene in a Noctuidae pest species, Agrotis ipsilon. Sequence analysis revealed that AiMasc encodes a protein of 658 amino acids that has two CCCH-type zinc finger domains and two conserved cysteine residues (Cys-277 and Cys-280). We assessed the masculinizing activity AiMasc in BmN cells and found that/z'Masc induced expression of the male-specific doublesex isoform. Disruption of Masc via clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) in A. ipsilon caused abnormalities in abdominal segments and external genitalia, resulting in male-specific sterility. These results suggest that Masc participates in the process of sex determination in A. ipsilon. Successful identification of sex-determination gene in a pest species may enable the development of novel genetic approaches for pest control.
文摘We report the first description of the biology of non-bioluminescent Keroplatidae from China. The life cycle of Chetoneura shennonggongensis is documented from laboratory culture and from field observations. The larval stage usually lasts 8-10 months. Large amounts of pupae are observed in late June, where they remain suspended horizontally or vertically from silk threads. The pupal suspending postures differ from other Keroplatidae species. Sexual differentiation is evident from the pupal stage. July is the peak time of adult emergence. Mating usually takes place immediately upon female emergence if adult males are available. The adult life span is short. Females live a maximum of 5 days and males 7 days. Egg development time varies from 20 30 days depending on environmental temperature. Larvae hang long sticky silk threads with a series of mucous droplets to capture prey. Some behaviors associated with snare construction and prey capture are also described.