Sex Pheromone Evolution Is Associated with Differential Regulation of the Same Desaturase Gene in Two Genera of Leafroller Moths

Chemical signals are prevalent in sexual communication systems. Mate recognition has been extensively studied within the Lepidoptera, where the production and recognition of species-specific sex pheromone signals are typically the defining character. While the specific blend of compounds that makes up the sex pheromones of many species has been characterized, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the evolution of pheromone-based mate recognition systems remain largely unknown. We have focused on two sets of sibling species within the leafroller moth genera Ctenopseustis and Planotortrix that have rapidly evolved the use of distinct sex pheromone blends. The compounds within these blends differ almost exclusively in the relative position of double bonds that are introduced by desaturase enzymes. Of the six desaturase orthologs isolated from all four species, functional analyses in yeast and gene expression in pheromone glands implicate three in pheromone biosynthesis, two Δ9-desaturases, and a Δ10-desaturase, while the remaining three desaturases include a Δ6-desaturase, a terminal desaturase, and a non-functional desaturase. Comparative quantitative real-time PCR reveals that the Δ10-desaturase is differentially expressed in the pheromone glands of the two sets of sibling species, consistent with differences in the pheromone blend in both species pairs. In the pheromone glands of species that utilize (Z)-8-tetradecenyl acetate as sex pheromone component (Ctenopseustis obliquana and Planotortrix octo), the expression levels of the Δ10-desaturase are significantly higher than in the pheromone glands of their respective sibling species (C. herana and P. excessana). Our results demonstrate that interspecific sex pheromone differences are associated with differential regulation of the same desaturase gene in two genera of moths. We suggest that differential gene regulation among members of a multigene family may be an important mechanism of molecular innovation in sex pheromone evolution and speciation

Induction of cell proliferation and survival genes by estradiol-repressed microRNAs in breast cancer cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In estrogen responsive MCF-7 cells, estradiol (E₂) binding to ERα leads to transcriptional regulation of genes involved in the control of cell proliferation and survival. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. The aim of this study was to explore whether miRNAs were involved in hormonally regulated expression of estrogen responsive genes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Western blot and QPCR were used to determine the expression of estrogen responsive genes and miRNAs respectively. Target gene expression regulated by miRNAs was validated by luciferase reporter assays and transfection of miRNA mimics or inhibitors. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTS assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>E₂significantly induced bcl-2, cyclin D1 and survivin expression by suppressing the levels of a panel of miRNAs (miR-16, miR-143, miR-203) in MCF-7 cells. MiRNA transfection and luciferase assay confirmed that bcl-2 was regulated by miR-16 and miR-143, cyclinD1 was modulated by miR-16. Importantly, survivin was found to be targeted by miR-16, miR-143, miR-203. The regulatory effect of E₂can be either abrogated by anti-estrogen ICI 182, 780 and raloxifene pretreatment, or impaired by ERα siRNA, indicating the regulation is dependent on ERα. In order to investigate the functional significance of these miRNAs in estrogen responsive cells, miRNAs mimics were transfected into MCF-7 cells. It revealed that overexpression of these miRNAs significantly inhibited E₂-induced cell proliferation. Further study of the expression of the miRNAs indicated that miR-16, miR-143 and miR-203 were highly expressed in triple positive breast cancer tissues, suggesting a potential tumor suppressing effect of these miRNAs in ER positive breast cancer.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results demonstrate that E₂induces bcl-2, cyclin D1 and survivin by orchestrating the coordinate downregulation of a panel of miRNAs. In turn, the miRNAs manifest growth suppressive effects and control cell proliferation in response to E₂. This sheds a new insight into the integral post-transcriptional regulation of cell proliferation and survival genes by miRNAs, a potential therapeutic option for breast cancer.</p

Expression and characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis CYP144: Common themes and lessons learned in the M. tuberculosis P450 enzyme family

CYP144 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis was expressed and purified. CYP144 demonstrates heme thiolate coordination in its ferric form, but the cysteinate is protonated to thiol in both the carbon monoxide-bound and ligand-free ferrous forms (forming P420 in the former). Tight binding of various azole drugs was shown, with affinity for miconazole (K-d = 0.98 mu M), clotrimazole (0.37 mu M) and econazole (0.78 mu M) being highest These azoles are also the trio with the highest affinity for the essential CYP121 and for the cholesterol oxidase CYP125 (essential for host infection), and have high potency as anti-mycobacterial drugs. Construction of a Mtb gene knockout strain demonstrated that CYP144 is not essential for growth in vitro. However the deletion strain was more sensitive to azole inhibition in culture suggesting an important role for CYP144 in cell physiology and/or in mediating azole resistance. The biophysical and genetic features of CYP144 are compared to those of other characterized Mtb P450s, identifying both commonality in properties (including thiolate protonation in ferrous P450s) and intriguing differences in thermodynamic and spectroscopic features. Our developing knowledge of the Mtb P450s has revealed unusual biochemistry and gene essentiality, highlighting their potential as drug targets in this human pathogen. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved