Genome‐wide identification and analysis of genes encoding cuticular proteins in the endoparasitoid wasp Pteromalus puparum (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). Issue 2 (9th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Jiale; Jin, Hongxia; Yang, Lei; Ye, Xinhai; Xiao, Shan; Song, Qisheng; Stanley, David; Ye, Gongyin; Fang, Qi
• Other Names: Kim Yonggyun guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology. Volume 103:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-10-09
• Subjects: apidermin -- cuticular proteins -- expression profile -- hydrophobicity -- Pteromalus puparum; Insects -- Physiology -- Periodicals; Insect biochemistry -- Periodicals; 595.701572
• DOI: 10.1002/arch.21628
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0739-4462

Abstract

Abstract: The multifunctional insect cuticle serves as the exoskeleton, determines body shape, restricts water loss, provides attachment sites for muscles and internal organs and is a formidable barrier to invaders. It is morphologically divided into three layers, including envelope, epicuticle, and procuticle and is composed of chitin and cuticular proteins (CPs). Annotation of CPs and their cognate genes may help understand the structure and functions of insect cuticles. In this paper, we interrogated the genome of Pteromalus puparum, an endoparasitoid wasp that parasitizes Pieris rapae and Papilio xuthus pupae, and identified 82 genes encoding CPs belonging to six CP families, including 62 in the CPR family, 8 in CPAP3, 5 in CPF/CPFL, 2 low complexity proteins, 2 in TWDL, and 3 in Apidermin. We used six RNA‐seq libraries to determine CP gene expression profiles through development and compared the cuticle hydrophobicity between the P. puparum and the ectoparasitoid Nasonia vitripennis based on GRAVY values of CPR sequences. In the Nasonia‐Pteromalus comparison, we found in both N. vitripennis and P. puparum, the peak of their CPR hydrophobicity displayed at their pupal stage, whereas their adult stage showed the lowest level. Except at the adult stage, the CPR hydrophobicity in N. vitripennis is always higher than P. puparum . Finally, we identified three novel Apidermin genes, a family found solely in Hymenoptera and revealed a new sequence feature of this family. This new information contributes to a broader understanding of insect CPs generally. Abstract : The phylogenetic analysis between the CP related genes identified from Pteromalus puparum and Apis mellifera, respectively. Research Highlights: Total 82 of cuticular proteins were identified in Pteromalus puparum in silico and their expression profiles were analyzed at differently developmental stages. Cuticle hydrophobicity were comparatively analyzed between P. puparum and Nasonia vitripennis, at protein level. Three novel Apidermin genes were predictively identified in P. puparum and a new domain with numerous Gly–Pro combinations found in this family genes.