scholarly journals Trehalase from male accessory gland of an insect, Tenebrio molitor. cDNA sequencing and developmental profile of the gene expression

1992 ◽  
Vol 288 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Takiguchi ◽  
T Niimi ◽  
Z H Su ◽  
T Yaginuma
Keyword(s):  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Northern Blotting ◽  
Accessory Gland ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Cdna Sequencing ◽  
Gene Expressions ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Stage Specificity ◽  
Mealworm Beetle ◽  
Rabbit Small Intestine

A cDNA of alpha alpha-trehalase (EC 3.2.1.28) from a cDNA library of male bean-shaped accessory gland of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, has been isolated by the homology screening approach. Sequence analysis of the cDNA (1830 bp) revealed that the cDNA encoded a protein of 555 amino acids with a calculated M(r) of 64457. The deduced amino acid sequence had significant similarities to rabbit small intestine and Escherichia coli trehalases. Northern blotting and semi-quantitative PCR analyses revealed that a trehalase transcript with about 2.0 kb was abundant in bean-shaped accessory glands. In the glands, the amount of trehalase transcript increased from 1 to 2 days after adult ecdysis. These tissue- and stage-specific gene expressions of trehalase corresponded to the tissue- and stage-specificity of trehalase activity.

Ultrastructure of the epithelium of the upper ejaculatory duct of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 814-815
Author(s):  
S. Bricker ◽  
G. M. Happ
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Ejaculatory Duct ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Shear Forces ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Ultrastructural Evidence ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Mealworm Beetle ◽  
Quinone Tanning

The male mealworm, Tenebrio molitor produces a spermatophore to facilitate transfer of sperm to the female. The wall of the spermatophore is largely produced from the secretions of the paired bean-shaped accessory glands (BAGs). As the cottony pre-spermatophoric mass from the BAGs comes together in the ejaculatory duct where it is molded into the spermatophore, it becomes tougher and more elastic. The mechanisms involved in this stabilization of the wall of the spermatophore were unknown. Mechanisms of stabilization of other acellular structures assembled in extracellular space include quinone-tanning and β-sclerotization in cuticle, shear forces in silk, and pH changes in the spermatophore of Rhodnius. The cells found in the epithelium of the upper ejaculatory duct of the mealworm beetle were examined by transmission electron microscopy for ultrastructural evidence of a role in the stabilization of the spermatophore wall.

Reproductive behaviour and physiology of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). III. Histogenetic changes in the internal genitalia, mesenteron, and cuticle during sexual maturation

1976 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 990-1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. Gerber
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Maturation ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Accessory Gland ◽  
Peritrophic Membrane ◽  
Secretory Cells ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Internal Genitalia ◽  
Day By Day

The histogenic changes in the internal genitalia and mesenteron and the hardening and darkening of the cuticle during the first days of adult life in Tenebrio molitor L. are described. At emergence, the testes contain mature spermatozoa and the ovaries possess small oocytes. During the first 3 days, the shape, size, appearance, and staining characteristics of the secretory cells of the lateral oviducts, female accessory gland, tube accessory glands, bean-shaped accessory glands, and glandular region of the vasa deferentia change. Similar changes were not seen in the seminal vesicles and spermatheca. All of the secondary sex glands are filled with secretion by day 4. In the midgut, changes occur in the size, shape, and appearance of the epithelial cells by the 3rd day, and a peritrophic membrane is secreted during days 2 and 3. Most adults do not begin to feed until after the 3rd day. By day 3, the hardening and darkening of the cuticle are completed. All of these changes clearly are associated with adult maturation, especially sexual maturation, and most or all of the them must take place before the adults are able to copulate and oviposit.

scholarly journals Multi-level analysis of reproduction in the Antarctic midge, Belgica antarctica, identifies female and male accessory gland products that are altered by larval stress and impact progeny viability

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Finch ◽  
Sonya Nandyal ◽  
Carlie Perrieta ◽  
Benjamin Davies ◽  
Andrew J. Rosendale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Storage Proteins ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Accessory Gland ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Belgica Antarctica ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe Antarctic midge, Belgica antarctica, is a wingless, non-biting midge endemic to Antarctica. Larval development requires at least two years, but adult life lasts only two weeks. The nonfeeding adults mate in swarms and females die shortly after oviposition. Eggs are suspended in a gel of unknown composition that is expressed from the female accessory gland. This project characterizes molecular mechanisms underlying reproduction in this midge by examining differential gene expression in whole males, females, and larvae, as well as in male and female accessory glands. Functional studies were used to assess the role of the gel encasing the eggs, as well as the impact of stress on reproductive biology. RNA-seq analyses revealed sex- and development-specific gene sets along with those associated with the accessory glands. Proteomic analyses were used to define the composition of the egg-containing gel, which is generated during multiple developmental stages and derived from both the accessory gland and other female organs. Functional studies indicate the gel provides a larval food source and thermal and dehydration buffer, all of which are critical for viability. Larval dehydration stress directly reduces production of storage proteins and key accessory gland components, a feature that impacts adult reproductive success. Modeling reveals that bouts of dehydration may significantly impact population growth. This work lays a foundation for further examination of reproduction in midges and provides new information related to general reproduction in dipterans. A key aspect is that reproduction and stress dynamics, currently understudied in polar organisms, are likely to prove critical for determining how climate change will alter survivability.

Formation of spermatophore in ejaculatory duct of yellow mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor: SEM study

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 674-675
Author(s):  
Frantíšek Weyda ◽  
George M. Happ
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Ejaculatory Duct ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
High Viscosity ◽  
Secretory Cells ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Whole Process ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Low Viscosity ◽  
Mealworm Beetle

Main role of the accessory glands of Tenebrio molitor male is to facilitate transfer of sperm to the females. They produce heterogeneous secretions. Two anatomically distinct glands are present. While the tubular accessory glands (TAG) are composed of the secretory cells of one type only, the bean-shaped accessory glands (BAG) consist of eight cellular types. Low viscosity secretion of the TAG mix with sperms forming seminal fluid while high viscosity secretions (spermatophorins) of the BAG are largely transformed into the insoluble wall and core of the spermatophore. The prespermatophoric mass is transferred to the ejaculatory duct (EJD) where solidify and forms the complex spermatophore. Immunocytochemical experiments with monoclonal antibodies based on the colloidal gold technique were used in order to understand exact composition of individual layers of the spermatophore. In the recent study we have used SEM to observe the whole process of the formation of spermatophore in the ejaculatory duct.

Preliminary Localization of a Cell Type-Specific Antigen in the Accessory Glands of the Male Mealworm Beetle by Immunoelectron Microscopy

1985 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 584-585
Author(s):  
C.S. Bricker ◽  
K.A. Grimnes ◽  
G.M. Happ
Keyword(s):  
Immunoelectron Microscopy ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Specific Antigen ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Accessory Gland ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Mealworm Beetle ◽  
Single Cell Type

The reproductive accessory gland complex of male Tenebrio molitor consists of two sets of paired glands: the bean-shaped (BAGs) and the tubular-shaped accessory glands (TAGs). Unlike the TAG, which contains a single cell type, the BAG contains at least seven cell types differentiated by the ultrastructure of their secretory granules. The BAG also synthesizes a wider variety of proteins. As the gland becomes mature, granules are secreted into the lumen of the BAG, forming the plug, and are molded into the spermatophore, a complex structure used to transmit sperm to the female during mating. Up to this point it has been difficult to correlate individual protein species with specific granule types. Therefore, we have turned to monoclonal antibody technology and immunoelectron microscopy to investigate the production, localization and fate of BAG and spermatophore proteins.

scholarly journals Multi-level analysis of reproduction in an Antarctic midge identifies female and male accessory gland products that are altered by larval stress and impact progeny viability

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Finch ◽  
Sonya Nandyal ◽  
Carlie Perretta ◽  
Benjamin Davies ◽  
Andrew J. Rosendale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Storage Proteins ◽  
Accessory Gland ◽  
Dehydration Stress ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Larval Food ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe Antarctic midge, Belgica antarctica, is a wingless, non-biting midge endemic to Antarctica. Larval development requires at least 2 years, but adults live only 2 weeks. The nonfeeding adults mate in swarms and females die shortly after oviposition. Eggs are suspended in a gel of unknown composition that is expressed from the female accessory gland. This project characterizes molecular mechanisms underlying reproduction in this midge by examining differential gene expression in whole males, females, and larvae, as well as in male and female accessory glands. Functional studies were used to assess the role of the gel encasing the eggs, as well as the impact of stress on reproductive biology. RNA-seq analyses revealed sex- and development-specific gene sets along with those associated with the accessory glands. Proteomic analyses were used to define the composition of the egg-containing gel, which is generated during multiple developmental stages and derived from both the accessory gland and other female organs. Functional studies indicate the gel provides a larval food source as well as a buffer for thermal and dehydration stress. All of these function are critical to juvenile survival. Larval dehydration stress directly reduces production of storage proteins and key accessory gland components, a feature that impacts adult reproductive success. Modeling reveals that bouts of dehydration may have a significant impact on population growth. This work lays a foundation for further examination of reproduction in midges and provides new information related to general reproduction in dipterans. A key aspect of this work is that reproduction and stress dynamics, currently understudied in polar organisms, are likely to prove critical in determining how climate change will alter their survivability.

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