Cathepsin L participates in the remodeling of the midgut through dissociation of midgut cells and activation of apoptosis via caspase-1. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Cui; Lin, Xian-Wu; Xu, Wei-Hua
• Is Part Of: Insect biochemistry and molecular biology. Volume 82(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: 21
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Cathepsin L -- Caspase-1 -- Midgut degradation -- Ecdysone -- Apoptosis -- Helicoverpa armigera; Insect biochemistry -- Periodicals; Insects -- Physiology -- Periodicals; Insects -- Molecular aspects -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Insectes -- Biochimie -- Périodiques; Insectes -- Composition -- Périodiques; Insectes -- Physiologie -- Périodiques; Insectes -- Aspect moléculaire -- Périodiques; Biochimie -- Périodiques; Biochemistry; Insect biochemistry; Insects -- Molecular aspects; Insects -- Physiology; Periodicals; 572.8157
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.01.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-1748

Abstract

Abstract: The larval midgut in holometabolous insects must undergo a remodeling process during metamorphosis to form the pupal-adult midgut. However, the molecular mechanism of larval midgut cell dissociation remains unknown. Here, we show that the expression and activity of Helicoverpa armigera cathepsin L (Har-CatL) are high in the midgut at the mid-late stage of the 6th-instar larvae and are responsive to the upstream hormone ecdysone. Immunocytochemistry shows that signals for Har-CatL-like are localized in midgut cells, and an inhibitor experiment demonstrates that Har-CatL functions in the dissociation of midgut epithelial cells. Mechanistically, Har-CatL can cleave pro-caspase-1 into the mature peptide, thereby increasing the activity of caspase-1, which plays a key role in apoptosis, indicating that Har-CatL is also involved in the apoptosis of midgut cells by activating caspase-1. We believe that this is the first report that Har-CatL regulates the dissociation and apoptosis of the larval midgut epithelium for midgut remodeling. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Cathepsins play key roles in the remodeling of the midgut. Cathepsin L functions in the dissociation of the midgut. Caspase-1 is activated by cathepsin L to induce apoptosis in the midgut. Ecdysone is an upstream signal to induce cathepsin L expression.