Role of catecholamines and β-alanine in puparial color of wild-type and melanic mutants of the mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata)

Wappner, Pablo; Hopkins, Theodore L.; Kramer, Karl J.; Cladera, Jorge Luis; Manso, F.; Quesada-Allué, Luis A.

doi:10.1016/0022-1910(95)00131-x

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…In some melanism mutants of insects, upon injection of β-alanine, the dopamine that accumulates is consumed, restoring the phenotype to wild-type (yellow or amber) [13], [18]. In the current study, after β-alanine injection, ebony expression was upregulated in the injected individuals, and the amount of NBAD, a precursor for yellow pigment, was increased (Figure 2C, D).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Effects of Altered Catecholamine Metabolism on Pigmentation and Physical Properties of Sclerotized Regions in the Silkworm Melanism Mutant

Qiao

Guan

et al. 2012

PLoS ONE

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Catecholamine metabolism plays an important role in the determination of insect body color and cuticle sclerotization. To date, limited research has focused on these processes in silkworm. In the current study, we analyzed the interactions between catecholamines and melanin genes and their effects on the pigmentation patterns and physical properties of sclerotized regions in silkworm, using the melanic mutant melanism (mln) silkworm strain as a model. Injection of β-alanine into mln mutant silkworm induced a change in catecholamine metabolism and turned its body color yellow. Further investigation of the catecholamine content and expression levels of the corresponding melanin genes from different developmental stages of Dazao-mln (mutant) and Dazao (wild-type) silkworm revealed that at the larval and adult stages, the expression patterns of melanin genes precipitated dopamine accumulation corresponding to functional loss of Bm-iAANAT, a repressive effect of excess NBAD on ebony, and upregulation of tan in the Dazao-mln strain. During the early pupal stage, dopamine did not accumulate in Dazao-mln, since upregulation of ebony and black genes led to conversion of high amounts of dopamine into NBAD, resulting in deep yellow cuticles. Scanning electron microscope analysis of a cross-section of adult dorsal plates from both wild-type and mutant silkworm disclosed the formation of different layers in Dazao-mln owing to lack of NADA, compared to even and dense layers in Dazao. Analysis of the mechanical properties of the anterior wings revealed higher storage modulus and lower loss tangent in Dazao-mln, which was closely associated with the altered catecholamine metabolism in the mutant strain. Based on these findings, we conclude that catecholamine metabolism is crucial for the color pattern and physical properties of cuticles in silkworm. Our results should provide a significant contribution to Lepidoptera cuticle tanning research.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Effects of Altered Catecholamine Metabolism on Pigmentation and Physical Properties of Sclerotized Regions in the Silkworm Melanism Mutant

Qiao

Guan

et al. 2012

PLoS ONE

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“…The method for a radio-enzyme-assay for measurement of BAS activity was developed by combining techniques used by Bruce C. Black (unpublished results) and Wappner et al (11). In this assay the enzymatic reaction is performed using a radiolabelled precursor, ( 14 C)-b-alanine, for incorporation into the product N-b-alanyldopamine (NBAD).…”

Section: Bas Assaymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Further, it was concluded from measurements of catecholamine levels that the N-acyl transferases (BAS or N-b-alanyl transferase and N-acetyl transferase) may catalyse important regulatory steps that determine the amounts of dopamine shunted into the melanization versus the sclerotization pathways (18). As an example, a lack of NBAD and an accumulation of dopamine resulting in dark phenotypes have been shown in several insects including melanic mutants of the flies D. melanogaster and Ceratitis capitata (11,20,21). Recently, in D. melanogaster, the Ebony gene was cloned, being the putative gene for the BAS enzyme activity (22).…”

Section: Bas Sclerotization and Melanismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insect Pigmentation: Activities of β‐Alanyldopamine Synthase in Wing Color Patterns of Wild‐Type and Melanic Mutant Swallowtail Butterfly Papilio glaucus¹

Koch

Behnecke

Weigmann-Lenz

et al. 2000

Pigment Cell Research

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Color pattern formation was studied in wild-type and melanic swallowtails because of their unique pigment system, the papiliochromes, which are derived from the tyrosine as well as from the tryptophan pathway. In a comparative approach we used females of Papilio glaucus which occur in two phenotypes, either wild-type (yellow and black) or melanic. Pigment synthesis in the developing wings starts with formation of yellow papiliochromes followed later by black melanin. From earlier studies we know that dopamine produced from DOPA by the enzyme dopadecarboxylase (DDC), is a precursor of both black melanin and also of N-beta-alanyldopamine (NBAD) in yellow papiliochrome synthesis. Thus, DDC expression and enzyme activity is required in both types of pigment forming scale cells and occurs in a time and pattern specific manner. However, differential activity of DDC alone can not be sufficient to regulate synthesis of different pigments in differently colored scales. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis whether activity of another enzyme, beta-alanyldopamine synthase (BAS), regulates specifically papiliochrome synthesis. BAS transfers beta-alanine to dopamine to give NBAD a component of yellow papiliochrome. We developed a radio-enzyme-assay of BAS activity in which (14C)-beta-alanine is incubated with dopamine, Mg++-ions and ATP together with wing homogenates containing putative BAS activity. In fact, high BAS activity was measured in yellow wings in concert with a high DDC activity. In contrast, in melanic wings almost no BAS activity was found. From this result it is clear, that papiliochrome synthesis in yellow scales is switched on by BAS shifting dopamine into the papiliochrome pathway and out of the melanin pathway or vice versa.

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“…As the proteins within the procuticle become sclerotized and melanized, the exoskeleton hardens and darkens (Andersen, 1974). Sclerotization involves the oxidative incorporation of phenolic material into the cuticle (Andersen et al ., 1996), resulting in a stiffer, more stable material (Andersen, 1991) which can range from transparent to dark brown (Wappner et al ., 1996). Melanization involves the oxidation of catecholamines (dopa and dopamine) to melanin, catalysed by phenoloxidases (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ashida & Brey, 1998). This results in red‐brown to black pigmentation (Kramer et al ., 1984; Hiruma & Riddiford, 1988; Wappner et al ., 1996), which is either incorporated into granules or scattered throughout the cuticle (Hiruma & Riddiford, 1988). Sclerotization and melanization are complex biochemical processes (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cuticular colour change after imaginal eclosion is time‐constrained: blacker beetles darken faster

Thompson

Armitage

Siva‐Jothy

2002

Physiological Entomology

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Abstract. Adult mealworm beetles, Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), show density dependent polyphenism in adult cuticular colour that is correlated with prophylactic immunity (Barnes & Siva-Jothy, 2000). The degree of cuticular colour is important in understanding the biology of a number of insect-related phenomena (e.g. industrial melanism, thermoregulation). In this paper, the extent of variation in cuticular colour in a large outbred population is documented; the rate of darkening under three different rearing protocols including experimental selection for cuticular colour is examined; and the time taken for cuticular colouring to be completed is determined. The results show that cuticular colouring after eclosion is time-constrained in T. molitor, regardless of whether beetles are reared in large outbred cultures, inbred cultures, or cultures subjected to selection for darkness or lightness. Blacker beetles always darkened faster. The potential reasons for the constraint and the potential costs of rapid darkening are discussed.

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Role of catecholamines and β-alanine in puparial color of wild-type and melanic mutants of the mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata)

Cited by 14 publications

References 26 publications

Effects of Altered Catecholamine Metabolism on Pigmentation and Physical Properties of Sclerotized Regions in the Silkworm Melanism Mutant

Effects of Altered Catecholamine Metabolism on Pigmentation and Physical Properties of Sclerotized Regions in the Silkworm Melanism Mutant

Insect Pigmentation: Activities of β‐Alanyldopamine Synthase in Wing Color Patterns of Wild‐Type and Melanic Mutant Swallowtail Butterfly Papilio glaucus¹

Cuticular colour change after imaginal eclosion is time‐constrained: blacker beetles darken faster

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Role of catecholamines and β-alanine in puparial color of wild-type and melanic mutants of the mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata)

Cited by 14 publications

References 26 publications

Effects of Altered Catecholamine Metabolism on Pigmentation and Physical Properties of Sclerotized Regions in the Silkworm Melanism Mutant

Effects of Altered Catecholamine Metabolism on Pigmentation and Physical Properties of Sclerotized Regions in the Silkworm Melanism Mutant

Insect Pigmentation: Activities of β‐Alanyldopamine Synthase in Wing Color Patterns of Wild‐Type and Melanic Mutant Swallowtail Butterfly Papilio glaucus1

Cuticular colour change after imaginal eclosion is time‐constrained: blacker beetles darken faster

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Insect Pigmentation: Activities of β‐Alanyldopamine Synthase in Wing Color Patterns of Wild‐Type and Melanic Mutant Swallowtail Butterfly Papilio glaucus¹