Downregulation of ultraspiracle gene expression delays pupal development in honeybees.
Ecdysteroids regulate many aspects of insect physiology after binding to a heterodimer composed of the nuclear hormone receptor proteins ecdysone receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle (Usp). Several lines of evidence have suggested that the latter also plays important roles in mediating the action of juvenile hormone (JH) and, thus, integrates signaling by the two morphogenetic hormones. By using an RNAi approach, we show here that Usp participates in the mechanism that regulates the progression of pupal development in Apis mellifera, as indicated by the observed pupal developmental delay in usp knocked-down bees. Knock-down experiments also suggest that the expression of regulatory genes such as ftz transcription factor 1 (ftz-f1) and juvenile hormone esterase (jhe) depend on Usp. Vitellogenin (vg), the gene coding the main yolk protein in honeybees, does not seem to be under Usp regulation, thus suggesting that the previously observed induction of vg expression by JH during the last stages of pupal development is mediated by yet unknown transcription factor complexes.
Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Genética-Bloco A, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, CEP 14049-900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. barchuk@unifal-mg.edu.br
Angel Roberto
AR
Barchuk
Vera Lúcia C
VL
Figueiredo
Zilá L P
ZL
Simões
D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005216:Fat Body / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D010641:Phenotype; D011679:Pupa / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C066030:USP protein, Drosophila