Methoprene-tolerant (Met) knockdown in the adult female cockroach, Diploptera punctata completely inhibits ovarian development
Independent of the design of the life cycle of any insect, their growth and reproduction are highly choreographed through the action of two versatile hormones: ecdysteroids and juvenile hormones (JH). However, the means by which JH can target tissues and exert its pleiotropic physiological effects i...
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Published in | PloS one Vol. 9; no. 9; p. e106737 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
Public Library of Science
08.09.2014
Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Independent of the design of the life cycle of any insect, their growth and reproduction are highly choreographed through the action of two versatile hormones: ecdysteroids and juvenile hormones (JH). However, the means by which JH can target tissues and exert its pleiotropic physiological effects is currently still not completely elucidated. Although the identity of the one JH receptor is currently still elusive, recent evidence seems to point to the product of the Methoprene-tolerant gene (Met) as the most likely contender in transducing the action of JH. Studies on the role of this transcription factor have mostly been focused on immature insect stages. In this study we used the viviparous cockroach Diploptera punctata, a favorite model in studying JH endocrinology, to examine the role of Met during reproduction. A tissue distribution and developmental profile of transcript levels was determined for Met and its downstream partners during the first gonadotropic cycle of this cockroach. Using RNA interference, our study shows that silencing Met results in an arrest of basal oocyte development; vitellogenin is no longer transcribed in the fat body and no longer taken up by the ovary. Patency is not induced in these animals which fail to produce the characteristic profile of JH biosynthesis typical of the first gonadotropic cycle. Moreover, the ultrastructure of the follicle cells showed conspicuous whorls of rough endoplasmic reticulum and a failure to form chorion. Our study describes the role of Met on a cellular and physiological level during insect reproduction, and confirms the role of Met as a key factor in the JH signaling pathway. |
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Bibliography: | Conceived and designed the experiments: EM EFH SST. Performed the experiments: EM EFH JH ZP. Analyzed the data: EM EFH JH BS SST. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: SST. Contributed to the writing of the manuscript: EM EFH BS SST. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. Current address: Research group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Department of Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium |
ISSN: | 1932-6203 1932-6203 |
DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pone.0106737 |