Juvenile hormone biosynthesis in adult Blattella germanica requires nuclear receptors Seven-up and FTZ-F1

Borras-Castells, Ferran; Nieva, Claudia; Maestro, José L.; Maestro, Oscar; Belles, Xavier; Martín, David

doi:10.1038/srep40234

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Published: 11 January 2017

Juvenile hormone biosynthesis in adult Blattella germanica requires nuclear receptors Seven-up and FTZ-F1

Ferran Borras-Castells¹,
Claudia Nieva¹,
José L. Maestro¹,
Oscar Maestro¹,
Xavier Belles¹ &
…
David Martín¹

Scientific Reports volume 7, Article number: 40234 (2017) Cite this article

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Abstract

In insects, the transition from juvenile development to the adult stage is controlled by juvenile hormone (JH) synthesized from the corpora allata (CA) glands. Whereas a JH-free period during the last juvenile instar triggers metamorphosis and the end of the growth period, the reappearance of this hormone after the imaginal molt marks the onset of reproductive adulthood. Despite the importance of such transition, the regulatory mechanism that controls it remains mostly unknown. Here, using the hemimetabolous insect Blattella germanica, we show that nuclear hormone receptors Seven-up-B (BgSvp-B) and Fushi tarazu-factor 1 (BgFTZ-F1) have essential roles in the tissue- and stage-specific activation of adult CA JH-biosynthetic activity. Both factors are highly expressed in adult CA cells. Moreover, RNAi-knockdown of either BgSvp-B or BgFTZ-F1 results in adult animals with a complete block in two critical JH-dependent reproductive processes, vitellogenesis and oogenesis. We show that this reproductive blockage is the result of a dramatic impairment of JH biosynthesis, due to the CA-specific reduction in the expression of two key JH biosynthetic enzymes, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthase-1 (BgHMG-S1) and HMG-reductase (BgHMG-R). Our findings provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying the specific changes in the CA gland necessary for the proper transition to adulthood.

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Introduction

Postembryonic development in winged insects is divided into three stages: (i) a juvenile phase where growth takes place, (ii) the metamorphic transformation during the last juvenile instar, and (iii) the reproductive adulthood. Juvenile hormone (JH), a sesquiterpenoid hormone produced and released by the corpora allata (CA) glands, controls critical events that occur during these three stages and also the transitions between them^1,2,3. Thus, the presence of JH during pre-ultimate juvenile stages prevents the premature differentiation of adult features, while its disappearance upon entering into the last immature stage allows metamorphosis to occur⁴. Finally, the reappearance of high amounts of JH after the imaginal molt marks the onset of the adult period. During this stage, JH controls critical aspects of the reproductive process, such as yolk protein synthesis and oocyte maturation^5,6,7. Despite the importance of the precise fluctuations of JH levels during insect development, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of JH biosynthesis remain poorly understood.

JH biosynthesis involves a series of enzymatic reactions that are conventionally organized into two modules. In the first one, known as the mevalonate pathway, acetyl-CoA is transformed into farnesyl pyrophosphate, while the reactions in the second module are responsible for the conversion of farnesyl pyrophosphate into JH⁸. The genes encoding the enzymes involved in both modules are highly enriched, or even exclusively expressed, in the CA cells⁹. In the lepidopteran Bombyx mori, the dipteran Aedes aegypti and the dictyopteran Diploptera punctata, the expression patterns of JH biosynthesis enzymes in the CA cells correlate well to the JH synthetic activity of the gland, suggesting that the fluctuations in JH synthesis are mainly controlled at the level of the expression of these enzymes^{9,10,11,12,13}. Unfortunately, very few factors have been connected to the transcriptional control of JH synthesis to date. In the dipteran Drosophila melanogaster, TGFbeta signaling stimulates JH production by up-regulating the transcription of the JH acid methyltransferase (JHAMT) gene through the transcription factor Mothers against Dpp (Mad)¹⁴. In the coleopteran Tribolium castaneum, the POU factor Ventral veins lacking/Drifter (vvl) activates JH synthesis during larval stages by activating JHAMT3 expression¹⁵. In addition to these transcription factors, several peptide hormones (allatotropins, allatostatins and short neuropeptide F) and neurotransmitters (the biogenic amines octopamine, dopamine and glutamate) are also involved in the regulation of CA activity¹⁶. However, although these factors regulate JH synthesis to some extent, the transcriptional regulatory network that control the expression of key JH biosynthetic genes during the different stages of development remains to be defined.

Here, we use the hemimetabolous insect Blattella germanica to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the critical reactivation of JH production that marks the onset of the reproductive adulthood. This cockroach provides an ideal opportunity to address JH biosynthesis regulation as patterns and functions of JH III, the only JH form detected in this species¹⁷, have been intensively studied during the nymphal and adult stages^18,19. The successive gonadotrophic cycles that conform the adult period of B. germanica females are characterized by a very high rate of JH synthesis, which induces the massive production of yolk precursor proteins by the fat body, as well as the incorporation of these proteins into developing oocytes^{7,20,21,22,23}. Concomitantly with the strong increase in the rate of JH biosynthesis after the imaginal molt, the CA cells of B. germanica undergo a specific physiological change during this stage, switching from the proliferative phase characteristic of the juvenile development to an adult-specific non-proliferative state^24,25.

In the present study, by using a detailed RNA interference (RNAi) analysis, we uncover the specific regulatory role of two transcription factors that controls JH synthesis and cell proliferation in the CA of adult B. germanica. Our findings reveal that nuclear hormone receptors Seven-up-B (BgSvp-B) and Fushi tarazu-factor 1 (BgFTZ-F1) provide tissue- and stage-specificity to the expression of two key JH biosynthetic enzyme genes, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthase-1 (BgHMG-S1) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (BgHMG-R), in the CA cells to control the massive production of JH during B. germanica adulthood. We also provide evidence that BgSvp-B is required to maintain the proliferative capacity of CA cells during nymphal development. Thus, our work identifies the transcription factors that generate the physiological and functional changes in the CA gland necessary for the proper transition to the adult stage and the reproductive adulthood.

Results

Cloning and developmental expression of BgSvp isoforms

In search of transcription factors that might regulate the activity of CA cells in B. germanica, nuclear receptor Svp emerged as a good candidate as it has been found to be one of the few factors strongly and specifically expressed in the corpus allatum of D. melanogaster embryos^26,27. After a PCR step using degenerated primers designed in conserved regions of insect Svp sequences and subsequent 5′- and 3′-RACE-PCR methodologies, we obtained two cDNAs from B. germanica. The sequences, differing only in the C-terminal region, corresponding to the ligand binding domain (LBD), were named BgSvp-A (accession number: KT423097) and BgSvp-B (accession number: KT423098) based on the similarity of their DNA-binding domain (DBD) and LBD with other insect Svp (Supplementary Fig. S1). BgSvp-B has all the domains of the nuclear receptor family and shares more than 90% identity in the DBD and LBD with other insect Svp and with its vertebrate homolog, chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor 1 (COUP-TF1). BgSvp-A is identical to BgSvp-B except for the last 90 amino acids of the LBD. Instead, BgSvp-A presents a short 21 amino acid stretch with no homology to other Svp proteins or known nuclear factors (Supplementary Fig. S1).

As a first step towards the characterization of BgSvp functions, the mRNA levels of BgSvp-A and BgSvp-B were analyzed in different tissues of B. germanica. Consistent with a possible role in the CA, both BgSvp isoforms were strongly expressed in these glands. They were also detected in the fat body and brain although to a lesser extent, while no expression was detected in the other tissues analyzed (Fig. 1A). Given the tissue specificity, BgSvp isoforms expression was investigated further in the CA and found that BgSvp-A and BgSvp-B mRNAs persisted in these glands without major variations during B. germanica development (Fig. 1B).

**Figure 1: BgSvp isoforms are highly expressed in the CA of *B. germanica*.**

BgSvp nuclear receptors play a central role in the adult stage of B. germanica

To examine the role of BgSvp isoforms, we used systemic RNA interference (RNAi) to knockdown BgSvp during nymphal development. First, we lowered the expression of both receptors simultaneously by injecting a dsRNA encompassing the common LBD region (dsBgSvp-1; Supplementary Fig. S2A). dsBgSvp-1 was injected in newly emerged last instar female nymphs (herein called BgSvpi animals), and mRNA levels of BgSvp-A and BgSvp-B in the CA were determined 7 days later. Specimens injected with dsMock were used as negative controls (Control animals). The mRNA levels of both receptors decreased substantially in BgSvpi insects compared to Control animals (75% for BgSvp-A, and 81% for BgSvp-B) (Supplementary Fig. S2B,C).

All BgSvpi nymphs (n = 124) molted properly into adults and had normal appearance, as Control nymphs (n = 50) (Fig. 2A). This allowed us to analyze the role of BgSvp during the adult period. The first gonadotrophic cycle of B. germanica starts just after the imaginal molt and lasts 8 days, during which JH induces the synthesis of yolk protein precursors in the fat body. The yolk proteins are then released to the hemolymph and subsequently incorporated to the growing basal oocytes in a JH-dependent manner. As a result of the massive incorporation of yolk proteins, the basal oocytes show an exponential growth during each gonadotrophic cycle. Then, at the end of the cycle, eggs are oviposited into an egg-case or ootheca that is transported by the female during 18 days until egg hatching^7,20,21,22. Notably, whereas all Control adult females oviposited eight days after the imaginal molt, none of the BgSvpi animals oviposited nor produced any sign of ootheca formation. A detailed examination of the BgSvpi females 5 days after the imaginal molt revealed a complete impairment of egg development (Fig. 2B,C). Given that oocyte growth depends on the accumulation of large amounts of the yolk protein vitellogenin (BgVg), we next measured the expression of BgVg gene in the fat body of BgSvpi adults. Compared to Control adults, BgVg mRNA levels in BgSvpi animals were dramatically reduced (Fig. 2D) and, consequently, BgVg protein was neither detected in the hemolymph nor within the oocytes (Fig. 2E). Altogether, our results show that BgSvp isoforms play a central role in the reproduction of B. germanica adult females.

**Figure 2: Loss of BgSvp impairs reproduction in *B. germanica* adult females.**

In order to characterize whether the requirement of BgSvp was exclusive of the adult stage or it was also necessary during the pre-ultimate nymphal stages, dsBgSvp-1 was injected into the abdomen of freshly ecdysed fourth (antepenultimate) or fifth (penultimate) instar nymphs. Under these conditions, 100% of BgSvpi nymphs (n = 30) developed normally and underwent two or three successive molts, depending at which instar they had been injected, until reaching adulthood properly, indicating that BgSvp isoforms are not involved in vital processes during nymphal development. Eventually, the BgSvpi adults showed the same reproductive impairment observed in BgSvpi animals injected in the last nymphal instar.

BgSvp-B is the isoform required for reproduction in adult B. germanica

To assess the role of each BgSvp isoform on the BgSvpi phenotype, dsRNAs targeting each isoform (dsBgSvp-A and dsBgSvp-B; Fig. S2A) were injected separately into newly emerged last instar nymphs (BgSvp-Ai and BgSvp-Bi animals, respectively). The treatment resulted in a remarkably decrease in the corresponding transcript without affecting the expression of the other isoform (Fig. 3A). As in BgSvpi animals, all the isoform-specific knockdown nymphs developed normally and molted to the adult stage without any observable defect (n = 30 for BgSvp-Ai; n = 40 for BgSvp-Bi). After completing the first gonadotrophic cycle, Control and BgSvp-Ai females successfully oviposited while BgSvp-Bi females were unable to lay eggs as they showed a drastic impairment in egg development and reduced BgVg expression in the fat body (Fig. 3B,C). Altogether, these results show that BgSvp-B is the responsible for the reproductive impairment observed in the BgSvpi animals.

**Figure 3: *BgSvp-B* is the isoform necessary for adult reproduction in *B. germanica*.**

BgSvp-B controls JH production by regulating the expression of JH biosynthetic enzyme genes

Given the high expression of BgSvp-B in the CA and that the defects observed in BgSvp-Bi adults are suggestive of a JH deficiency, we next studied whether BgSvp-B is crucial for controlling the biosynthesis and/or the sensitivity to JH during the adult stage. To this aim, we first confirmed that BgSvp-B was expressed in the CA cells of adult B. germanica females (Fig. 4A). Then, we measured JH production by the CA from 5-day-old BgSvp-Bi adults and found that JH synthesis was drastically reduced compared to BgSvp-Ai and Control animals (Fig. 4B). To analyze whether JH sensitivity was also compromised in BgSvp-Bi adults, we topically applied methoprene, a potent JH mimic, in newly ecdysed BgSvp-Bi adults. This treatment restored normal levels of BgVg expression in the fat body and the growth of the primary follicles (Fig. 4C,D), indicating that the adult phenotype of BgSvp-Bi animals is due to impaired JH synthesis but not to the transduction of the JH signal. Taken together, these results show that BgSvp-B plays a critical role in the reproduction of B. germanica by controlling JH biosynthesis in the CA during the adult stage.

**Figure 4: BgSvp-B controls JH production in *B. germanica* adult females.**

To address how BgSvp-B controls JH biosynthesis, we next asked whether it regulates the expression of genes encoding crucial enzymes of the pathway. In B. germanica, BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R have been identified as key enzymes in the mevalonate pathway leading to JH synthesis^28,29,30. B. germanica has a second HMG synthase gene, BgHMG-S2, although its expression and regulation is identical to BgHMG-S1^30,31. Paralleling the rate of JH synthesis, mRNAs of BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R are significantly upregulated in the CA during the nymphal-to-adult transition and are maintained high during the first gonadotrophic cycle (Fig. 5A,B). Thus, we next examined whether BgSvp-B depletion affects the expression of BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R during the adult stage. Remarkably, BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R mRNA levels in the CA of BgSvp-Bi adults were severely reduced compared to BgSvp-Ai and Control adults (Fig. 5C). In contrast, mRNA levels of BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R in the fat body of BgSvp-Bi adults did not differ from those in Control and BgSvp-Ai animals (Fig. 5D), suggesting that the regulatory effect of BgSvp-B is CA-specific. To confirm that the reduced levels of BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R in the CA were due to the absence of BgSvp-B and not because of the low titer of JH, we applied methoprene to newly ecdysed BgSvp-Bi adults and the mRNA levels of both enzymes were analyzed 2 and 5 days later. As Fig. 6 shows, methoprene was not able to induce BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R expression when BgSvp-B levels are reduced. Overall, our data show that BgSvp-B is necessary in adult CA cells for the specific up-regulation of, at least, two important JH biosynthesis enzyme genes, BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R, in order to support the high rate of JH synthesis associated to adulthood in B. germanica.

**Figure 5: BgSvp-B controls the expression of JH biosynthetic enzyme genes in the CA of *B. germanica* adult females.**

**Figure 6: *BgHMG-S1* and *BgHMG-R* reduction in CA of *BgSvp-Bi* animals is not due to the absence of JH.**

BgSvp-B controls the proliferation of CA cells during nymphal development

The CA cells of B. germanica proliferate during the successive nymphal stages and switch to an adult-specific non-proliferative state immediately after the imaginal molt^24,25 (Fig. 7A–D). Given the continuous and strong expression of BgSvp-B in nymphal CA cells (Fig. 1B), we wondered whether BgSvp-B is involved in the control of CA cell proliferation during nymphal development. To test this possibility, we injected BrdU into staged last instar BgSvp-Bi and Control nymphs and analyzed its incorporation into CA cells 24 h later. Notably, CA cells from BgSvp-Bi nymphs did not show any BrdU-labeling in contrast to Control animals (Fig. 7E). The same result was obtained when BrdU incorporation was measured in CA cells of BgSvp-Bi penultimate instar nymphs (Fig. 7F). Overall, our data show that, in addition to its critical role in the transcriptional control of JH biosynthetic enzymes during the adult stage, BgSvp-B is also necessary for maintaining the continuous proliferation of the CA cells during nymphal development.

**Figure 7: BgSvp-B promotes proliferation of CA cells during nymphal development in *B. germanica*.**

One possibility emerging from the previous result is that the impairment of JH synthesis in BgSvp-Bi adults might be the consequence of the reduced number of CA cells. To test this, we depleted BgSvp-B in the second adult gonadotrophic cycle when the final cell number in the adult CA has been already reached at the onset of the first gonadotrophic cycle. Thus, we injected dsBgSvp-B and dsMock in females during the first day of ootheca transport, and then, the ootheca was removed 11 days later to induce the onset of the second gonadotrophic cycle (Fig. 8A). Under these conditions, none of the BgSvp-Bi animals (n = 20) oviposited at the end of the second cycle. The detailed analysis of these animals revealed a complete block in egg development (Fig. 8B), and severely reduced levels of BgVg mRNA in the fat body (Fig. 8C) and BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R in the CA (Fig. 8D). In contrast, the reduction of BgSvp-B levels did not affect the mRNA levels of both enzymes in the fat body (Fig. 8E). Therefore, the results were similar to those obtained with specimens treated as nymphs and analyzed in the first gonadotrophic cycle, which indicate that the impairment in JH synthesis in BgSvp-Bi adults is not due to a reduced CA cell number but rather to the absence of BgSvp-B.

**Figure 8: BgSvp-B controls JH production in the second gonadotrophic cycle of *B. germanica*.**

Nuclear receptor BgFTZ-F1 is present in CA cells during the adult period

Considering the tissue-specificity and the constant developmental expression of BgSvp-B in the CA, it seems likely that BgSvp-B is critical for the spatial control of JH biosynthetic gene expression in the CA but not for the temporal regulation during the adult period. Searching for regulatory factors involved in the temporal control of JH synthesis, we noticed that the timing of BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R up-regulation in the nymphal-adult transition correlates well with the decline of the 20E pulse that triggers such transition. We have previously demonstrated that a complex 20E-triggered hierarchy of nuclear receptors, converging in the strong up-regulation of BgFTZ-F1 at the imaginal transition, regulates the imaginal molt^{32,33,34,35,36,37}. Consistently, we found that this 20E-induced cascade of nuclear receptors, composed by BgE75A, BgHR3-A, BgHR4, and BgFTZ-F1 was sequentially expressed also in last nymphal instar CA cells (Fig. 9A). Remarkably, the increase in BgFTZ-F1 mRNA levels during the last 2 days of the instar parallel those of BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R in this gland during the imaginal transition (Fig. 9A). Consistent with a possible role in the control of JH biosynthesis, BgFTZ-F1 was also expressed in the CA cells during the adult stage (Fig. 9B). However, the same changes in the mRNA levels of BgFTZ-F1 were also observed in the penultimate-to-last nymphal instar transition (Fig. 9B).

**Figure 9: *BgFTZ-F1* is expressed in the CA of *B. germanica*.**

To assess whether BgFTZ-F1 could act as an adult-specific factor in the CA, we next analyzed the protein levels of BgFTZ-F1 in CA cells by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) analysis. To this aim, we first searched for a FTZ-F1 response element (F1RE)³⁸ in the promoter/enhancer region of the BgHMG-S1 gene³⁹. A detailed inspection revealed the presence of two potential F1REs, F1RE-S1a and F1RE-S1b (Supplementary Fig. S3). EMSA analysis utilizing BgFTZ-F1 protein translated in vitro and the F1RE-S1a element as a probe revealed a strong binding complex (Fig. 10A; lanes 2 and 3). In contrast, BgFTZ-F1 was not able to bind to the F1RE-S1b element as revealed by competition analysis (Fig. 10A; lane 4). The identity of the complex was confirmed with an antibody that specifically recognizes BgFTZ-F1³⁴ (Fig. 10A; lanes 5 and 6). Once demonstrated that in vitro-produced BgFTZ-F1 protein binds to the F1RE-S1a element, we examined the pattern of BgFTZ-F1 protein in CA nuclear extracts during the last two nymphal instars and the adult period. As a previous step, we characterized the occurrence of BgFTZ-F1 protein in nuclear extracts from CA from 5-day-old adult females, by incubating the extract with the F1RE-S1a element (Fig. 10B). We detected a retarded complex whose identity was confirmed with the BgFTZ-F1 antibody (Fig. 10B; lanes 1–3). The identity of the DNA-protein complex was further confirmed as the binding disappeared in CA extracts from dsBgFTZ-F1-treated adults (Fig. 10B; lanes 4 and 5). Then, we tested the binding activity of BgFTZ-F1 in nuclear extracts from CA from staged penultimate and last nymphal instars and adult animals. Remarkably, BgFTZ-F1 binding activity was only detected in the imaginal transition and during the entire adult stage (Fig. 10C and D). Taken together, these findings show that BgFTZ-F1 protein competent to bind to the FTZ-F1 response element in the BgHMG-S1 gene is specifically present in the CA cells during the transition from the last nymph to adult and along the adult stage of B. germanica females, suggesting that it could act as an adult-specific transcription factor required for JH biosynthesis during this period.

**Figure 10: BgFTZ-F1 protein is present in the CA of *B. germanica* adult females.**

BgFTZ-F1 is required for JH synthesis in adult B. germanica

To address the role of BgFTZ-F1 on JH synthesis, we next investigated the effect of BgFTZ-F1 depletion during the adult stage by injecting dsBgFTZ-F1 into newly molted last instar nymphs (BgFTZ-F1i animals). In agreement with our previous results [36], most of the BgFTZ-F1i nymphs (75%; n = 96) arrested development at the imaginal molt (Fig. 11A). However, 25% of BgFTZ-F1i nymphs ecdysed properly into adults, with minor problems in the extension of the wings (Fig. 11A), thus allowing the analysis of BgFTZ-F1 functions during the adult stage. Similar to BgSvp-B, loss of BgFTZ-F1 drastically impaired JH production in the CA, BgVg expression in the fat body, and egg development (Fig. 11B–D). Likewise, mRNA levels of BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R in the CA of BgFTZ-F1i adults were significantly lower than those from Control animals (Fig. 11E). As a result of these deficiencies, BgFTZ-F1i adults did not oviposit nor produced any indication of ootheca formation at the end of the gonadotrophic cycle. Finally, to analyze whether BgSvp-B is involved in the control of BgFTZ-F1 expression in adult CA cells, we measured BgFTZ-F1 mRNA levels in the CA of BgSvp-Bi adults. As Fig. 11F shows, mRNA levels of BgFTZ-F1 in the CA of BgSvp-Bi adults were not significantly affected, indicating that the role of BgSvp-B in JH biosynthesis is not channeled through the regulation of BgFTZ-F1 expression in this gland. Similarly, we found that knocking down BgFTZ-F1 did not affect BgSvp-B expression levels in adult CA (Fig. 11G). Overall, our results show that BgFTZ-F1 is a critical factor in the adult-specific control of JH biosynthesis that acts in parallel to BgSvp-B.

**Figure 11: Loss of *BgFTZ-F1* impairs JH synthesis in *B. germanica* adult females.**

Discussion

During insect development the levels of JH must be appropriately regulated to control the transition between the metamorphic and adult periods. Whereas the metamorphic stage is initiated by the inhibition of the JH biosynthetic activity of the CA cells, the onset of the reproductive adulthood is controlled by the precise re-induction of the CA activity at the imaginal molt^4,5,6,7,40. This critical switch, therefore, constitutes an interesting paradigm for the study of the precise integration of tissue- and stage-specific signals required for the control of a basic developmental process. In the present study, we identify two transcription factors, BgSvp-B and BgFTZ-F1 that are necessary to guarantee the strong activation of key JH biosynthetic enzymes in the CA cells required for the massive production of JH associated to adulthood.

BgSvp-B is critical for proper CA function

A key aspect of JH synthesis regulation is how the CA-specific expression of JH biosynthetic enzymes is controlled. Our work provides several lines of evidence demonstrating that the nuclear receptor BgSvp-B is a critical transcriptional regulator of JH biosynthetic enzymes in the CA of adult B. germanica. To our knowledge, this is the first case in which one isoform of Svp has been linked specifically to the spatial control of JH biosynthesis in insects. To date, Svp had been shown to control the correct development of the photoreceptor cells of the ommatidium^41,42, the formation of the embryonic central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as the fat body, Malpighian tubules and the different cardioblasts in the dorsal vessel of D. melanogaster^43,44,45,46. In the coleopteran Tribolium castaneum, TcSvp has been connected with the regulation of the metamorphic process⁴⁷. However, the fact that Svp is also highly expressed in the corpus allatum of D. melanogaster during early embryogenesis²⁷, might suggest that this factor could play a conserved role in the transcriptional control of JH synthesis in insects. Consistent with this possibility, it has been recently shown that TcSvp is important for reproduction in adult females of T. castaneum, as revealed by the fact that newly eclosed T. castaneum female adults treated with dsTcSvp show significant egg production impairment and reduced TcVg mRNA levels in the fat body⁴⁸.

In addition to the functions described, Svp also exerts regulatory functions in holometabolous insects through the attenuation of the activity of the 20E-signalling cascade by inhibiting the normal functioning of the EcR-USP heterodimer^49,50. In A. aegypti, AaSvp interacts with AaUSP at the end of the vitellogenic cycle inhibiting the 20E-dependent transactivation of target genes such as AaVg^51,52. Likewise, ectopic overexpression of Svp in larval and pupal stages of D. melanogaster leads to lethality at the onset of metamorphosis due to the impairment of the normal activity of the EcR-USP complex⁴⁹. In B. germanica, we have shown that the same 20E-triggered hierarchy of nuclear receptors is expressed during nymphal development and controls the metamorphic process, including proper molting³⁶. However, in contrast to holometabolous insects, BgSvp isoforms seem not to be involved in 20E-dependent processes as revealed by the fact that the BgSvp-depleted nymphs developed normally and reached adulthood without any noticeable defect.

It is important to note that, despite B. germanica having two isoforms that are highly expressed in the CA cells, the control of JH synthesis is exerted specifically by the BgSvp-B isoform. Both isoforms are identical except for the N-terminal end of the molecule. BgSvp-B presents a highly conserved 229 amino acid LBD with a canonical structure formed by 12 α-helices, including the ligand-dependent transactivation domain (AF-2) within α-helix 12, which has been shown to be responsible for the interaction with different coactivator and corepressor proteins⁵³. In contrast, BgSvp-A presents a truncated 139 amino acid LBD, with the last 21 amino acids presenting no homology with any other member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Remarkably, the truncated LBD of BgSvp-A lacks the last 4 α-helices, including the AF-2 domain, which suggests that this region of the protein is key to exert the regulatory functions upon JH synthesis. Further studies are needed to establish the role of the carboxy-end of the LBD in the control of JH biosynthesis by BgSvp-B.

In cockroaches, including B. germanica, CA cells proliferate continuously during nymphal development and switch to an adult-specific non-proliferative state at the imaginal molt concomitantly to the increase of JH production (Fig. 7A–D)^24,25. Here, we have shown that the CA cells require the continuous activity of BgSvp-B during nymphal development to maintain their proliferative capacity as revealed by BrdU experiments. Svp has likewise been implicated in the control of cell proliferation in the Malpighian tubules in D. melanogaster through the induction of the expression of two cell cycle regulators, the cdc23 phosphatase string and cyclinE⁴⁴, thus suggesting that the regulation of cell proliferation by Svp is conserved in different insect tissues. Overall, our results show that BgSvp-B is a critical factor that exerts a dual role in the control of the CA in B. germanica. First, controlling cell proliferation during the successive nymphal stages, and second, promoting the massive production of JH during the adult period by up-regulating BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R expression in the CA cells.

BgFTZ-F1 is a temporal regulator of JH synthesis

The constant expression of BgSvp-B in the CA cells does not correlate with the strong up-regulation of BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R and the increase in JH production during the adult period, thus suggesting that other factors must act coordinately to ensure the adult-specific up-regulation of JH biosynthetic enzymes. In this regard, we have identified the nuclear receptor BgFTZ-F1 as responsible for such adult-specificity. Several results support this observation: (1) the binding levels of BgFTZ-F1 in the CA cells correlate well with the expression of BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R during the imaginal transition and the adult stage; (2) JH synthesis, BgVg induction and oocyte growth are completely impaired in BgFTZ-F1i animals; and (3) the mRNA levels of BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R are strongly reduced in the CA cells of BgFTZ-F1i adults.

It is interesting to note that a strong up-regulation of BgFTZ-F1 at the imaginal molt is also observed in the prothoracic gland, the tissue responsible of the synthesis of ecdysteroid hormones³⁴. In this case, BgFTZ-F1 induces the degeneration of the prothoracic gland immediately after the imaginal molt, a critical event required for proper adult development in B. germanica⁵⁴. BgFTZ-F1 acts, therefore, as a critical adult-specific factor in the two main endocrine glands, the prothoracic gland where induces its degeneration, and the CA where promotes the synthesis of high levels of JH. The role of FTZ-F1 as a stage-specific determinant has been previously demonstrated in the prepupal stage of D. melanogaster. In this particular period of development, βFTZ-F1 works as a competence factor for stage-specific responses to the 20E pulse that triggers pupal development⁵⁵. Similarly, in A. aegypti, βFTZ-F1 is required for the stage-specific up-regulation of the 20E-dependent genes E74B, E75A, Vg and vitellogenic carboxypeptidase during the transition to the vitellogenic period^51,52,56.

In light of our results, in conclusion, we propose that the high level of JH biosynthesis required during the adult stage of B. germanica is achieved by the integration of tissular (BgSvp-B) and temporal (BgFTZ-F1) regulatory inputs. These inputs specifically converge in the CA cells at the imaginal transition and the adult period to guarantee the strong up-regulation of, at least, two important JH biosynthesis enzyme genes, BgHMG-S1 and BgHMG-R. The present work, thus, represents a significant step toward understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying developmental progression in insects by deciphering how the stage- and tissue-specific responses are reached during development.

Materials and Methods

Insects

Specimens of B. germanica were obtained from a colony reared in the dark at 30 ± 1 °C and 60–70% r.h. All dissection and tissue sampling were carried out in Ringer’s saline using carbon dioxide-anesthetized specimens.

Cloning of BgSvp cDNAs

Degenerate primers based on the DNA binding domain (DBD) of Svp insect homologs were used to obtain a B. germanica homolog cDNA fragment by RT-PCR: forward primer (BgSvp-F1): 5′-AUHGARTGYGTNGTNTGY-3′, and reverse primer (BgSvp-R1): 5′-NCCNVMYCANSRYTANGT-3′. The first amplification was carried out using as a template cDNA generated by reverse transcription from polyA⁺ RNA from 20E-treated UM-BGE-1 cells (derived from early embryos of B. germanica), as previously described^32,57. The primers used can be found at S1 Table. The amplified fragment (120 bp) was subcloned into the pSTBlue-1 vector (Novagen) and sequenced. This was followed by 5′ and 3′ RACE (5′- and 3′-RACE System Version 2.0; Invitrogen) to complete the sequence. For 5′-RACE, reverse primer was (BgSvp-R2): 5′-TGAGATTTCTCCTGACACTCCTCT-3′; and for 3′-RACE, forward primer was (BgSvp-F2): 5′-AGAGGAGTGTCAGGAGAAATCTCA-3′. All PCR products were subcloned into the pSTBlue-1 vector (Novagen) and sequenced in both directions. Following this approach, we isolated two different BgSvp isoforms.

Semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)

RT-PCR was used to determine the expression pattern of BgSvp isoforms. Total RNA was extracted from tissues using the GenElute^TM Mammalian Total RNA kit (Sigma). cDNA synthesis was carried out as previously described¹⁸. Primers for the amplification of BgSvp isoforms and the different ecdysone-dependent nuclear receptors can be found at Supplementary Table S1. As a reference the same cDNAs were subjected to RT-PCR with a primer pair specific for B. germanica Actin5C as described⁵⁷. cDNA samples were subjected to PCR with a number of cycles within the linear range of amplification for each transcript depending on the tissue and physiological stage.

Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR)

Total RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis was carried out as described above. Relative transcripts levels were determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), using iQ SYBR Green supermix (Bio-Rad), in a 20 μl final volume (see Supplementary Table S2 for primer sequences). The qPCR experiments were conducted with the same quantity of organ equivalent input for all treatments and each sample was run in duplicate using 2 μl of cDNA per reaction. All the samples were analyzed using an iCycler and iQ Real Time PCR Detection System (Bio-Rad). For each standard curve, one reference DNA sample was diluted serially.

RNA interference in vivo

RNAi in vivo in nymphs of B. germanica was performed as previously described^32,37. The primers used to generate templates via PCR for transcription of the dsRNAs are described in Supplementary Table S3. A volume of 1 μl of each dsRNA solution (3 μg/μl) was injected into the abdomen of newly emerged female nymphs. To analyze the effect of the interference in the second adult gonadotrophic cycle, dsRNAs were injected into females in the first day of ootheca transport right after the end of the first gonadotrophic cycle. Eleven days after the injection, oothecas were removed to trigger the onset of the second gonadotrophic cycle.

Incubation of CA and quantification of juvenile hormone synthesis

JH III biosynthesis by CA incubated in vitro was quantified using the methodology previously reported³⁰. Basically, individual corpora cardiaca-CA complexes were incubated for 3 hours in 100 μl of 199 medium (Sigma) containing L-methionine (0.1 mM), Hank’s salts, HEPES (20 mM) plus Ficoll (20 mg/ml), to which L-[³H-methyl] methionine (Perkin Elmer) had been added to achieve a final specific activity of 7.4 Gbq/mmol. After the incubation period JH III in the medium plus homogenized glands was extracted and quantified.

Treatments with methoprene in vivo

Newly ecdysed adults were topically treated with 1 μg methoprene (isopropyl(E,E)-(RS)-11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4-dienoate) per specimen in 1 μl of acetone. Controls received the same volume of solvent.

Microscopy, histological analysis and protein electrophoresis

After dissection, ovaries were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and permeabilised in PBS-0,2% Tween (PBT), then incubated for 10 min in 1 μg/ml DAPI in PBT. After two washes with PBT, the tissues were mounted in Mowiol 4–88 (Calbiochem). All samples were examined with a Zeiss Axiophot microscope, and images were subsequently processed using Adobe photoshop.

Proliferation of CA cells was monitored by in vivo labeling with 5′-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU). Nymph and adult insects were injected with a BrdU solution and 24 h later, CA were dissected and fixed in Carnoy’s fixative for 30 min, washed in PBS and incubated in 70% methanol (MeOH) for 10 min, MeOH + 30% hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) (1:1) for 45 min and 70% MeOH for 10 min. CA were washed in PBS, and then incubated 1 h in PBST-BSA. They were incubated with 2 N HCl for 30 min to denature the DNA and allow access to the anti-BrdU antibody. The tissue was then washed 3 × 10 min in PBS and 2 × 10 min PBST-BSA and placed in PBST-BSA-NGS blocking solution for 30 min. Mouse anti-BrdU (Hybridoma bank) was added at a 1:1000 concentration to a PBST-BSA-NGS solution overnight at 4 °C. Next, the tissues were washed 3 × 10 min PBST-BSA and incubated 30 min in PBST-BSA-NSG prior to 2 h incubation with a peroxidase-labelled anti-mouse IgG secondary antibody (1:100 in PBS-BSA-NGS). Finally, the tissues were washed 3 × 20 min PBS and immunoreactive cells were visualized by incubation in a solution of 3,3′-diaminobenezidine in PBS containing H₂O₂ and nickel chloride. Finally, CA cells were examined with Zeiss Axiophot microscope. SDS-PAGE of hemolymph and ovarian proteins was carried out as previously reported²¹.

In vitro transcription/translation

The BgFTZ-F1 cDNA was cloned into pSTBlue-1 (Novagen)³⁴, and transcribed and translated using the TNT coupled reticulocyte lysate system (Promega), according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

CA Nuclear extracts and EMSA

Preparations of nuclear extracts from B. germanica CA were carried out according to the method described⁵⁸. Twenty CA were used for each time-point extraction. Binding reactions were carried out in a 20 μl volume containing 20 CA equivalent of nuclear extracts or 1 μl of the TNT sample, 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 50 mM NaCl, 1 mMMgCl2, 0.5 mM DTT, 0.5 mM EDTA, 4% (v/v) glycerol, 1 μg poly(dI.dC), 1 μg of a single-stranded DNA (5′-TAATACGACTCACTATA-3′), and the indicated amount of competitor DNA or antibody when appropriate. After 15 min incubating at 4 °C, 0.05 pmol of ³²P-labeled DNA probe was added, and the incubation was continued for another 45 min at the same temperature. The reaction was resolved on 5% nondenaturing polyacrilamide gel run at 4 °C and at a constant voltage of 150 V in 0.5 X TBE. The gel was then dried and autoradiographed. Oligonucleotides (only sense strands are shown) used to generate DNA probes for EMSA were: F1RE-S1a: 5′-GTTCAATTTGTTGACCGAAGGCCGCTATGTTTTCATCC-3′; F1RE-S1b: 5′-GAGTAATAGCCCTAGCCTTAAATTAACATGGGGCC-3′.

Additional Information

How to cite this article: Borras-Castells, F. et al. Juvenile hormone biosynthesis in adult Blattella germanica requires nuclear receptors Seven-up and FTZ-F1. Sci. Rep. 7, 40234; doi: 10.1038/srep40234 (2017).

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Acknowledgements

Support for this research was provided by the Spanish MINECO (grants BFU2009-10571 and CGL2014-55786-P to D.M. and CGL2012-36251 and CGL2015-64727-P to X.B.) and by the Catalan Government (2014 SGR 619 to D.M., J.L.M. and X.B.). The research has also benefited from FEDER funds. F.B.-C. is a recipient of a pre-doctoral research Grant from the MICINN. C.N. is a recipient of a postdoctoral research grant from CSIC. O.M. is recipient of a pre-doctoral research grant from Generalitat de Catalunya.

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Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, Barcelona, 08003, Spain
Ferran Borras-Castells, Claudia Nieva, José L. Maestro, Oscar Maestro, Xavier Belles & David Martín

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Ferran Borras-Castells
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Claudia Nieva
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José L. Maestro
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Oscar Maestro
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Xavier Belles
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Conception and design of the project was done by F.B.-C., X.B. and D.M. F.B.-C., C.N., J.L.M. and O.M. performed experiments. The analysis of the data was conducted by F.B.-C., X.B. and D.M. D.M. wrote the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript.

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Borras-Castells, F., Nieva, C., Maestro, J. et al. Juvenile hormone biosynthesis in adult Blattella germanica requires nuclear receptors Seven-up and FTZ-F1. Sci Rep 7, 40234 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep40234

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Received: 25 July 2016
Accepted: 02 December 2016
Published: 11 January 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep40234

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