Characterization of calcium signaling proteins from the fat body of the Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Implications for diapause and lipid metabolism. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Doğan, Cansu; Hänniger, Sabine; Heckel, David G.; Coutu, Cathy; Hegedus, Dwayne D.; Crubaugh, Linda; Groves, Russell L.; Mutlu, Damla Amutkan; Suludere, Zekiye; Bayram, Şerife; Toprak, Umut
• Is Part Of: Insect biochemistry and molecular biology. Volume 133(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Calmodulin -- Calcineurin -- Regucalcin -- Fat body -- Diapause -- Lipid metabolism; 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.2021.103549
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-1748

Abstract

Abstract: Calcium (Ca 2 + ) regulates many cellular and physiological processes from development to reproduction. Ca 2 + is also an important factor in the metabolism of lipids, the primary energy source used during insect starvation and diapause. Ca 2+ signaling proteins bind to Ca 2+ and maintain intracellular Ca 2+ levels. However, knowledge about Ca 2+ signaling proteins is mostly restricted to the model Drosophila melanogaster and the response of Ca 2+ signaling genes to starvation or diapause is not known. In this study, we identified three Ca 2+ signaling proteins; the primary Ca 2+ binding protein Calmodulin (LdCaM), phosphatase Calcineurin B (LdCaNB), and the senescence marker protein Regucalcin (LdRgN), from the fat body of the Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). This insect is a major pest of potato worldwide and overwinters under hibernation diapause as adults while utilizing lipids as the primary energy source. Putative EF-hand domains involved in Ca 2 + binding were present in LdCaM, LdCaNB, but absent in LdRgN. LdCaM and LdCaNB were expressed in multiple tissues, while LdRgN was primarily expressed in the fat body. LdCaM was constitutively-expressed throughout larval development and at the adult stage. LdCaNB was primarily expressed in feeding larvae, and LdRgN in both feeding larvae and adults at comparable levels; however, both genes were down-regulated by molting. A response to starvation was observed only for LdRgN . Transcript abundance analysis in the entire body in relation to diapause revealed differential regulation with a general suppression during diapause, and higher mRNA levels in favor of females at post-diapause for LdCaM, and in favor of males at non-diapause for LdCaNB . Fat body-specific transcript abundance was not different between non-diapause and post-diapause for LdCaNB, but both LdCaM and LdRgN were down-regulated in males and both sexes, respectively by post-diapause. Silencing LdCaNB or LdRgN in larvae led to decreased fat content, indicating their involvement in lipid accumulation, while RNAi of LdCaM led to lethality. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Calmodulin (LdCaM), Calcineurin B (LdCaNB) and Regucalcin (LdRgN) were identified. Starvation-response was detected only for LdRgN. Each gene revealed a differential expression pattern in response to diapause. RNAi knockdown of LdCaNB and LdRgN decreased lipid accumulation. RNAi knockdown of LdCaM was lethal.