Pellino, a highly conserved E3 ubiquitin ligase, is known to mediate ubiquitination of phosphorylated Interleukin-1 receptor-related kinase (IRAK) homologs in Toll signaling pathway. To understand the immunological function of TmPellino, we screened the knockdown efficiency of TmPellino by injecting TmPellino-specific dsRNA into T. molitor larvae. Subsequently, we investigated the larval mortality and the tissue-specific expression patterns of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes against microbial challenges. Interestingly, the results indicate that the expression of many AMP genes was upregulated in the Malpighian tubules of TmPellino-silenced T. molitor larvae. This study may provide basic information to understand how Tmpellino regulates AMPs production in T. molitor.

Recently, it is demonstrate that the invertebrates have a immune memory, called Immune priming (IP). It was partially studied that the IP is mainly regulated by epigenetic modification. Here, to understand the IP on antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) production, we investigated larval mortality and time-dependent expression patterns of AMP genes in T. molitor larvae challenged with E. coli (two-times injection with a one-month interval). Interestingly, the results indicate that the higher and faster expression levels of most AMP genes were detected compared to the non-primed T. molitor larvae. Our results may used to improve the understanding of mechanisms of invertebrate immune memory.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) is known to regulate antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) production in mammals. Here, to understand the immunological function of TmTRAF against microbial challenge, the induction patterns of TmTRAF against microbial infection was investigated by qRT-PCR in the whole-body and tissue of young larvae. In addition, the effects of TmTRAF RNAi on larval mortality and expression of 15 AMP genes in response to microbial infection were investigated. Our studies may help to understand the basic role of AMP production.

Tube, an intracellular protein of the Toll-pathway, forms a complex with Pelle and MyD88, and regulates a signal transduction to activate NF-κB in Drosophila. To understand the antimicrobial function of TmTube, the induction patterns of TmTube were investigated at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 h-post injection of pathogens into 10th to 12th instar larvae. In addition, we investigated the effects of TmTube RNAi on larval mortality and tissue specific AMP expression in response to microbial challenge. Our results will provide a basic information to elucidate the immunological function of TmTube

Pelle, a serine/threonine kinase, is an intracellular component of the Toll pathway and is involved in antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) production due to pathogenic infection. It is known that the Pelle phosphorylates Cactus and activates the NF-κB signaling pathway in Drosophila, but it is not studied in Tenebrio molitor. In this study we investigated the tissue-specific expression patterns of the Pelle following pathogenic infection at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 hours. Additionally, larval mortality and AMP expression against microbial injection were investigated in dsPelle-treated T. molitor larvae. Our results may help to understand the antimicrobial function of TmPelle.

In insects, the glutathione S-transferase is initiated in both the detoxification process and the protection of cellular membranes against oxidative damage. In this study, we identified the open reading frame (ORF) sequence of GST-iso1 and 2 from Tenebrio molitor (TmGST-iso1 and 2). To investigate the expression patterrns of TmGST-iso1 and 2 in response to herbicide, 0.06, 0.6, and 6 ㎍/㎕ of butachlor (FarmHannong, Seoul, South Korea) was challenged into T. molitor larvae, resulting that the TmGST-iso1 were highly induced at 3 and 24 h-post injection. Whereas, the highest expression of TmGST-iso2 was detected at 24 h after treatment. This study may contribute to basic information about the detoxifying activities of T. molitor.

It is well known that the JNK pathway regulates AMP production against pathogenic infection in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Tenebrio molitor hep (Tmhep) is an homolog of MAP kinase kinase in mammals. Here, we investigate the immunological function of Tmhep in responses in microbial infection using RNA interference technology. The results showed that silencing of Tmhep increased the larval mortality against microbial challenge, as well as reduced AMP production compared to the control group (dsEGFP-treated group). Conclusively, Tmhep plays an critical role in antimicrobial defense in T. molitor larvae.

벼메뚜기의 인공사료 개발을 위하여 일본의 Konno식 먹이를 대조구로 하고, 28개의 배합비율별 인공사료를 제작하여 급이시험을 하였다. 시험결과, Konno식 보다 6주 후 1마리당 체중은 22개 처리에서 높았고 우화성공율은 23개 처리에서 높았다. 폐사율은 부화입식 후 45일까지 Konno식 대비 24개 처리에서 높았다. 1마리당 체중, 우화성공율, 폐사율을 종합해 볼 때 탄수화물원으로는 옥수수 건조잎 분말 또는 통밀가루와 단백질원으로는 2~5%의 탈지대두분 또는 어분의 배합비율이 벼메뚜기의 인공사료로서 가능성이 높았다.

Background : As a part of ongoing research to elucidate and characterize anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals, six kinds of plant extracts (aerial part of Nepeta cataria, leaves of Lonicera maackii, leaves of Platycarya strobilacea, flower of Fagopyrum dibotrys, flowers and fruits of Solanum nigrum, stem of Physostegia virginiana) were tested for their ability to suppress inflammation. The anti-inflammatory has been studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells which cells synthesized nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). In this study, NO synthesis inhibitory activity of six kinds of plant extracts on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages was evaluated. Methods and Results : Six kinds of plant extracts were parceled out from RDA (Rural Development Administration). RAW 264.7 cells (1.5×105 cells/well) were seeded onto 96-well plates with DMEM media containing 10% FBS and 1% antibiotics. The cells were pretreated with the extracts and LPS-stimulated cells for 24 h. Cellular NO production was stimulated by adding 1 μg/mL of LPS. After incubation, Griess reagent was used to determine NO production. Absorbance was measured at 520 nm by microplate reader. NO synthesis inhibitory activity potential of these extracts was evaluated by assessing NO production by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells in the presence. As a result, inhibition rate of NO production was about 40% of L. maackii, 33% of F. dibotrys, 23% of P. strobilacea and 17% of P. virginiana. Meanwhile, there was no significant results in aerial part of N. cataria and flowers and fruits of S. nigrum. Conclusion : From the above results, we be able to confirm that leaves of L. maackii and flower of F. dibotrys appeared dose-dependent NO synthesis inhibitory activity and leaves of P. strobilacea appeared NO synthesis inhibitory activity in low-concentration. As screening NO synthesis inhibition of six extracts, they may be a good candidate for delaying the progression of human inflammatory diseases and warrants further studies.