Quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR analysis in desert locusts reveals phase dependent differences in neuroparsin transcript levels

In different parts of the world, locust swarms cause severe ecological and economic damage. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying this gregarization process remain elusive. In this study, we present a detailed quantitative analysis of two neuroparsin precursor (Scg‐NPP1 and Scg‐NPP2) transcripts in the brain, fat body, gut, gonads and accessory glands of male and female, gregarious and solitarious desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria). These transcripts are generally more abundant in solitarious than in gregarious animals. In contrast to their gregarious congeners, solitarious locusts contain detectable Scg‐NPP1 and Scg‐NPP2 transcript levels in the fat body. Moreover, our data reveal temporal changes of neuroparsin mRNA levels in the brains and fat bodies of adult isolated‐reared locusts. This paper provides the first scientific evidence for phase‐dependent transcriptional regulation of neuropeptide hormone encoding genes.

[1]  P. Proost,et al.  Characterization of two novel pacifastin-like peptide precursor isoforms in the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria): cDNA cloning, functional analysis and real-time RT-PCR gene expression studies. , 2005, The Biochemical journal.

[2]  G. Wegener,et al.  The regulation of trehalose metabolism in insects , 1996, Experientia.

[3]  Wei-Mou Zheng,et al.  The analysis of large-scale gene expression correlated to the phase changes of the migratory locust. , 2004, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

[4]  Ken Sasaki,et al.  Substantial changes in central nervous system neurotransmitters and neuromodulators accompany phase change in the locust , 2004, Journal of Experimental Biology.

[5]  J. Poels,et al.  Neuroendocrinological and Molecular Aspects of Insect Reproduction , 2004, Journal of neuroendocrinology.

[6]  A. De Loof,et al.  Transcript profiling of pacifastin-like peptide precursors in crowd- and isolated-reared desert locusts. , 2004, Biochemical and biophysical research communications.

[7]  B. Torto,et al.  The Nature of the Gregarizing Signal Responsible for Maternal Transfer of Phase to the Offspring in the Desert Locust Schistocerca gregaria , 2001, Journal of Chemical Ecology.

[8]  M. Burrows,et al.  Mechanosensory-induced behavioural gregarization in the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria , 2003, Journal of Experimental Biology.

[9]  T. Van Loy,et al.  cDNA cloning and transcript distribution of two novel members of the neuroparsin family in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria , 2003, Insect molecular biology.

[10]  E. Clynen,et al.  An improved breeding method for solitarious locusts , 2002 .

[11]  A. De Loof,et al.  Cloning of two cDNAs encoding isoforms of a pacifastin‐related precursor polypeptide in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria: analysis of stage‐ and tissue‐dependent expression , 2002, Insect molecular biology.

[12]  L. Schoofs,et al.  Peptide differential display: a novel approach for phase transition in locusts. , 2002, Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part B, Biochemistry & molecular biology.

[13]  Arnold De Loof,et al.  Insulin-related peptides and their conserved signal transduction pathway , 2002, Peptides.

[14]  A. De Loof,et al.  cDNA cloning and transcript distribution of two different neuroparsin precursors in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria , 2001, Insect molecular biology.

[15]  E. Despland,et al.  Gregarious behavior in desert locusts is evoked by touching their back legs , 2001, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

[16]  J. Pennington,et al.  Lipid storage and mobilization in insects: current status and future directions. , 2001, Insect biochemistry and molecular biology.

[17]  Simpson,et al.  The influence of mechanical, visual and contact chemical stimulation on the behavioural phase state of solitarious desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria). , 2000, Journal of insect physiology.

[18]  Tawfik,et al.  Time-course haemolymph juvenile hormone titres in solitarious and gregarious adults of Schistocerca gregaria, and their relation to pheromone emission, CA volumetric changes and oocyte growth. , 2000, Journal of insect physiology.

[19]  L. Schoofs,et al.  Identification of the gregarization-associated dark-pigmentotropin in locusts through an albino mutant. , 1999, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

[20]  D C Krakauer,et al.  Spatial scales of desert locust gregarization. , 1998, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

[21]  S. Simpson,et al.  Effects of sensory stimuli on the behavioural phase state of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. , 1998, Journal of insect physiology.

[22]  L. Schoofs,et al.  Cloning of two cDNAs encoding three small serine protease inhibiting peptides from the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria and analysis of tissue-dependent and stage-dependent expression. , 1998, European journal of biochemistry.

[23]  M. Pener,et al.  The physiology of locust phase polymorphism: an update. , 1998, Journal of insect physiology.

[24]  S. J. Simpson,et al.  A Gregarizing Factor Present in the Egg Pod Foam of the Desert Locust Schistocerca gregaria , 1998, The Journal of experimental biology.

[25]  A. Ayali,et al.  Adipokinetic hormone content of the corpora cardiaca in gregarious and solitary migratory locusts , 1996 .

[26]  A. Ayali,et al.  COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NEUROPEPTIDES FROM THE CORPORA CARDIACA OF SOLITARY AND GREGARIOUS LOCUSTA , 1996 .

[27]  Stephen J. Simpson,et al.  An analysis of the behavioural effects of crowding and re‐isolation on solitary‐reared adult desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) and their offspring , 1995 .

[28]  J. Girardie,et al.  Insulin and Neuroparsin Promote Neurite Outgrowth in Cultured Locust CNS , 1990, The European journal of neuroscience.

[29]  M. Meister,et al.  cDNAs from neurosecretory cells of brains of Locusta migratoria (Insecta, Orthoptera) encoding a novel member of the superfamily of insulins. , 1990, European journal of biochemistry.

[30]  B. Fournier,et al.  A new function for the locust neuroparsins: stimulation of water reabsorption , 1988 .

[31]  F. Couillaud,et al.  Anti-juvenile effect of neuroparsin A, a neuroprotein isolated from locust corpora cardiaca , 1987 .

[32]  J. Girardie,et al.  Production sites of the three neurosecretory proteins characterized in the corpora cardiaca of the migratory locust , 1987 .

[33]  J. Kunkel,et al.  VITELLOGENIN AND VITELLIN IN INSECTS , 1979 .

[34]  Kilby Ba.  Intermediary metabolism and the insect fat body. , 1965 .

[35]  B. Kilby.  Intermediary metabolism and the insect fat body. , 1965, Biochemical Society symposium.

[36]  P. Hunter-Jones.  Laboratory Studies on the Inheritance of Phase Characters in Locusts. , 1958 .

[37]  R. Blackith,et al.  PHASE AND MOULTING POLYMORPHISM IN LOCUSTS , 1957 .

[38]  V. M. Dirsh.  Morphometrical Studies on Phases of the Desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria Forskal). , 1953 .