Abstract:Heat shock proteins (Hsps) function as molecular chaperones that enable organisms to withstand stress and maintain normal life activities. In this study, we identified heat shock protein 70 (encoded by hsp70), which exhibits a higher expression in the mature male testis than in the unmature testis of Ophraella communa. Tissue expression profile revealed that Ochsp70 levels in males were highest in the testis, whereas those in females were highest in the head. Moreover, the expression of Ochsp70 was found to be… Show more
“…The larvae and adults of O. communa can completely defoliate a common ragweed within a few insect generations 5 . To better apply this beetle, studies on its chemical ecology 6 – 8 , reproductive biology 9 – 11 , and cold tolerance genetics 12 have been ongoing. Bouchemousse, et al .…”
The leaf beetle Ophraella communa LeSage (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an effective biological control agent of the common ragweed. Here, we assembled a chromosome-level genome of the O. communa by combining Illumina, Nanopore, and Hi-C sequencing technologies. The genome size of the final genome assembly is 733.1 Mb, encompassing 17 chromosomes, with an improved contig N50 of 7.05 Mb compared to the original version. Genome annotation reveals 25,873 protein-coding genes, with functional annotations available for 22,084 genes (85.35%). Non-coding sequence annotation identified 204 rRNAs, 626 tRNAs, and 1791 small RNAs. Repetitive elements occupy 414.41 Mb, constituting 57.76% of the genome. This high-quality genome is fundamental for advancing biological control strategies employing O. communa.
“…The larvae and adults of O. communa can completely defoliate a common ragweed within a few insect generations 5 . To better apply this beetle, studies on its chemical ecology 6 – 8 , reproductive biology 9 – 11 , and cold tolerance genetics 12 have been ongoing. Bouchemousse, et al .…”
The leaf beetle Ophraella communa LeSage (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an effective biological control agent of the common ragweed. Here, we assembled a chromosome-level genome of the O. communa by combining Illumina, Nanopore, and Hi-C sequencing technologies. The genome size of the final genome assembly is 733.1 Mb, encompassing 17 chromosomes, with an improved contig N50 of 7.05 Mb compared to the original version. Genome annotation reveals 25,873 protein-coding genes, with functional annotations available for 22,084 genes (85.35%). Non-coding sequence annotation identified 204 rRNAs, 626 tRNAs, and 1791 small RNAs. Repetitive elements occupy 414.41 Mb, constituting 57.76% of the genome. This high-quality genome is fundamental for advancing biological control strategies employing O. communa.
Successful bisexual reproduction requires interactions between males and females. Male‐derived seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) transferred to females during mating profoundly affect females from pre‐ to post‐mating, and the subsequent shift in female physiology enhances their fertility. SFPs have important evolutionary implications for the fitness of many insects. However, little is known about how females respond to male SFPs. In this study, we identified a male‐derived SFP‐phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in Ophraella communa. PLA2 is a vital enzyme in eicosanoid biosynthesis; however, it has not been identified as an insect SFP. We found that OcPLA2 is specifically expressed in males, especially in the male accessory glands (MAGs); it is transferred to the female during mating and functions as an SFP to enhance fertility. The expression of a female‐derived gene encoding the WD repeat‐containing protein 46 (WD46) was upregulated when OcPLA2 entered the female reproductive tract, and this contributed to female egg production by increasing triacylglycerol lipase (TGL) gene expression and the triglyceride (TG) content. This is the first study to identify PLA2 as an SFP in insects. Our findings also shed light on the regulatory role of OcPLA2 in beetle reproduction; the expression of OcPLA2 is initially correlated with female WD46 expression and later with the decline in TGL gene expression and the TG content. This represents a unique mechanism of reproductive regulation by an SFP.
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