The baculovirus expression system is a very useful tool widely used for expression of foreign proteins. To use the baculovirus expression system, a recombinant baculovirus must be prepared. The development of the Bac to Bac system has reduced the time and effort required to produce recombinant baculovirus. But, it will take at least two weeks. Further, it takes more time to measure the activity of recombinant baculovirus. In order to overcome this problem, a virus inducible expression system is being studied recently. Although baculovirus is able to rapidly express foreign proteins, it still has a low expression level. Thus, in this study, we aimed to construct a novel baculovirus inducible expression vector that not only shortens the production time of protein but also can express at a high level. The novel baculovirus inducible expression vector has been evaluated using EGFP and is expected to be a very useful tool for production of various proteins.
We sequenced 15,803 bp of the leaf-rolling-weevil, Apoderus jekelii (Coleoptera: Attelabidae) mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) that lacked ~8,000 bp of the A+T-rich region for the completion of the genomic sequence. The A. jekelii mitogenome, which includes 1,169 bp of A+T-rich region, possesses typical sets of genes [13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes]. Phylogenetic analyses using the eight concatenated PCG sequences, which are commonly available for the mitogenome sequences of Curculionoidea, revealed Attelabidae as monophyletic, as well as the sister relationship between current A. jekelii and congeneric species A. coryli in Attelabidae, with the highest nodal supports both in Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods. In order to gain a more comprehensive picture of the phylogenetic relationships among the lineages of Attelabidae, an extended analysis with more taxonomic sampling will be necessary. †These authors contributed equally to this paper.
한국에 서식하는 모기종 중 흔히 볼 수 있는 금빛숲모기(Aedes vexans nipponii)는 미국에서 West Nile Virus의 주요 매개종으로 알려져 있다. 또한 지카바이러스를 포함한 30가지가 넘는 바이러스의 매개체로 작용할 가능성이 있다고 보고되고 있다. 이들을 방제하기 위한 방법으로 화학적 방제는 매우 효과적일 수 있으나 지속적인 살충제 사용은 저항성 문제를 불러일으킬 수 있다. 현재 금빛숲모기의 경우 이에 대한 관련 연구가 거의 이루어지지 않은 상황이다. 본 연구는 근연종인 흰줄숲모기와 이집트숲모기의 연구를 참고하여 합천에 위치한 축사에서 채집된 금빛숲모기 샘플로부터 기존에 알려진 Acetylcholinesterase-1(Ace-1)의 target site mutation인 G119, T506과 knockdown resistance(kdr) target site mutation인 V410, L982, S989, I1011, L1014, V1016, T1520, I1532, F1534, D1763을 분석하였다. 분석결과, 저항성을 가진 개체는 발견되지 않았으며 mutation site에 관해 정확히 알려진 바가 없으므로 bioassay를 통한 추가조사가 필요할 것으로 판단된다.
To verify the progenitor of B. mori, we sequenced 14 B. mori strains preserved in Korea and one B. mandarina collected in Korea and conducted phylogenetic analysis of Bombycidae using maximum-likelihood method and concatenated sequences of 13 PCGs and 2 rRNA genes. All B. mori strains, regardless of their origin, formed a strong monophyletic group, with the highest nodal support. This B. mori group was placed as the sister to the two B. mandarina collected each from Korea and Shandong, China with the highest nodal support. Finally, the remaining two B. mandarina, which were collected in Japan were independently placed as the most basal lineage of B. mori and B. mandarina group. These results appear to indicate that an immediate ancestor for the domestic silkworm strains may have been originated from China and Korea.
In this study, we developed ten microsatellite markers specific to L. angelina using the Illumina NextSeq 500 platform. Forty-three individuals of L. angelina collected from three localities in South Korea were genotyped to validate these markers and to preliminarily assess population genetic characteristics. The observed number of alleles, observed heterozygosity (HO), and expected heterozygosity (HE) at a locus ranged from 4–13, 0.211–0.950, and 0.659–0.871 in the population with the largest sample size (20 individuals), respectively, thereby validating the suitability of the markers for population analyses. Our preliminarily assessment of the population genetic characteristics indicates the presence of inbreeding in all populations, an isolation of the most geographically distant population (Seocheon), and lower HO than HE. The microsatellite markers developed in this study will be useful for studying the population genetics of L. angelina collected from additional sites in South Korea and from other regions. †These authors contributed equally to this paper.
A previous studies depicting origin and sequence variability of the species using DNA barcoding region with the samples collected from Korea showed relatively low sequence variability. Thus, additional markers that reveal higher variability were necessitated to scrutinize population structure in connection with dispersal and invasive dynamics among international populations. Therefore, we sequenced two complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of M. pruinosa from the two haplotypes occurring in Korea (H1 and H3). Comparison of the two mitogenomes each with 16,312 and 16,314 bp evidenced that one region located in the A+T-rich region to provide higher number of haplotypes (4 vs. 3), sequence divergence (1.636% vs. 0.636%), and variable sites (7 vs. 3) than those of DNA barcoding region from the screening test using 13 representative individuals. This variable region, in concatenation with the currently available DNA barcoding region might be useful for population genetic analysis of worldwide populations including those of Korea. †These authors contributed equally to this paper.
To identify and compare the venom components and expression patterns of some bees/wasps, venom gland-specific transcriptome analyses were conducted for 14 Aculeate bees/wasps. Most of the allergens and pain-producing factors showed extremely high expression levels in social wasps, implying that social wasps have evolved to use venom to defend the colony against intruders. Acid phosphatase and tachykinin, which are known as allergens and neurotoxic peptides, were found with high frequencies in the venom glands of solitary wasps. This suggests that solitary wasps might use their venom for catching and preserving prey. In the venom glands of bumblebees, little or no transcripts of major allergens or pain producing factors were identified, implying that bumblebees venoms are relatively less toxic than those of social or solitary wasps. Taken together, the differential expression patterns of venom genes in some Aculeate bees/wasps implies that bees/wasps have unique groups of highly expressed venom components, which appear to have evolved in response to both ecological and behavioral influences.
South Korea has over 0.38 million of managed honey bee (Apis cerana) colonies before 2009 years ago, which produce the highest quantity of honey in the Korea; however, almost colony (90%) were collapsed by Korean Sacbrood Virus (KSBV) in South Korea. Korean Sacbrood Virus (KSBV) is the pathogen of A. cerana Sacbrood disease, which poses a serious threat to honeybee A. cerana, and tends to cause bee colony and even the whole apiary collapse. Colony collapse of A. cerana was first reported on the Pyeong-Chang of the South Korea in 2009. Several scientists and governments has been tried research for cure the sacbrood disease in A. cerana colony by medicines and management techniques. Unfortunately, The sacbrood disease dosen’t improve. So, we were developed a better breed of A. cerana for resistance of sacbrood virus by selection and then artificial insemination. A. cerana breeding technique was first successful applied with A. cerana in Korean. Queens was grafted from sacbrood resistance line and then it was growing in sacbrood disease colony that was survived 100%. Altogether selected 18 queens were artificially inseminated and 2,000 drones of A. cerana in Korea was used to evaluate amount of semen collection. We are select two scabrood resistance A. cerana line (R and H). R line be used for rearing the Queen. Drone was reared in H line colony. The RH hybrid were not infected sacbrood virus even spread sacbrood virus (2×106). RH colonies have very excellent hygienic behavior, brood, and sacbrood disease resistance activity.
The bean bug, Riptortus pedestris, is one of major hemipteran pests against the soybean, Glycine max in Korea. In previous study, it was suggested that water-taking in the first instar nymphal stage of R. pedestris is certainly necessary for successful ecdysis and their survival. To investigate water-taking behavior of the first instar nymphs of R. pedestris on plant, electrical penetration graphic patterns were analysed while R. pedestris fed on the napa cabbage leaf, Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis by using EPG system. In the result, a X-waveform was dominantly observed for average 42.0 min out of total recording time (120 min). There was significant positive correlation (r = 0.457, P = 0.000452, n = 55) between body weight increase and cumulative durations of X-waveform. In addition, histological observation of cross-sections indicated that stylet tip in the plant tissue during X-waveform period is located nearby xylem cells, suggesting that X-waveform is closely related to xylem sap feeding behavior of R. pedestris in plant.
Recent increase of raw sequences generated by next generation sequencing (NGS) machines enabled re-analyzing raw sequences for diverse purposes: one is assembling organelle genome. One recent study completed the mitochondrial genomes of 14 ants from public raw sequences in subfamily Pseudomyrmecinae not having organelle genomes. Along with this approach, we have found four ant species of which genome papers were published and its raw sequences were open to public but its mitochondrial genome has not been assembled yet: Harpegnathos saltator and three Pogonomyrmex species (P. rugosus, P. anergismus, and P. colei). We assembled four complete mitochondrial genomes, presenting mitogenome of H. saltator 16,467 bp long and those of three Pogonomyrmex species above 21 kb long, ranking top among all known Hymenopteran mitogenomes. Four mitochondrial genomes contain 13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs, conserved as in all other insects. Phylogenomic tree based on partial or complete mitogneomes covering 26 genera provides insights of ant mitogenomic phylogeny and evolution.
아메리카왕거저리(Zophobas atratus)는 대형 거저리류로, 영양적 가치가 높아서 현재는 식용, 사료용 곤충으로 활용하고자 연구가 진행 중이다. 아메리카왕거저리의 산란율 향상을 위해서 산란에 적합한 광주기 조건을 조사하였다. 9L/15D, 12L/12D, 15L/9D (암수비율 1:2, 온도 30 ℃, 습도 65% RH, 조도 1800 lux) 의 광조건 하에서 산란수 조사 결과, 아메리카왕거저리의 산란수은 약 5주간은 증가하다가 이후 서서히 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 아메리카왕거저리 1마리의 일일 평균 산란수은 15L/9D가 22.9±6.5개로 가장 높았고, 그 다음이 9L/15D 16.8±8.5개, 12L/12D 7.5±4.6개 순이었다. 누적 산란수(15주) 역시 15L/9D가 291.1±120.2개로 가장 높았고, 그 다음이 9L/15D 200.9±111.3개, 12L/12D 87.7±64.1개 순이었다. 그러나 폐사율은 9L/15D가 53.3%로 가장 높았고, 그 다음이 12L/12D 50.0%, 15L/9D 43.3% 순이었다. 이런 결과로 볼 때 아메리카왕거저리의 산란에 적합한 광주기는 15L/9D로 판단된다.
장수풍뎅이는 우리나라 곤충 산업에서 학습𐤟애완곤충으로 활용도가 매우 높으며 전국적으로 많은 농가에서 사육 되고 있다. 최근 식용, 약용으로도 허가가 되어 농가의 수가 확대되고 있고, 대부분 번식 개체 암수 비율 증가(2:1 이상), 대형 상자, 대량의 발효톱밥을 이용하여 번식을 한다. 이는 몇몇 농가들에게는 경제적 비용을 늘리는 요인이 되어 왔다. 본 연구에서는 비용 절감 방안을 모색하고자, 칸막이 사육 상자를 고안하여 한 쌍으로만 실내 번식(온도 25℃, 습도 60%)을 실시하였다. 조사 결과, 칸막이가 없는 사육 상자에서 평균 산란수는 93.6개였고, 칸막이가 있는 처리구의 경우에는 평균 산란수가 121.3개로 칸막이가 없는 것보다 알을 더 많이 낳는 경향을 보였다. 또한, 발효톱밥의 경도가 높은 처리구에서 산란을 더 많이 하는 경향을 보였다.
The baculovirus-insect cell expression system has been widely used method for the recombinant protein expression. The present study has several limitation. In this study, we constructed vectors consisting of transcriptional enhanced factor and promoter that improve the expression level. To confirm the usefulness of these vector system, Human papillomavirus (HPV) VLPs have been expressed by baculovirus hyper expression system. HPV VLPs were purified using a CaptoTM Core 700 (GE Healthcare Life Sciences) chromatography approach. Baculovirus hyper expression system production efficiency was influenced by the HPV VLPs production. HPV VLPs vaccination to BALB/c mice induced the generation of antibody confirmed by ELISA. This study could provide improvements on the vaccine production for the development of VLP vaccines high expression of useful heterologous proteins.
Honeybees are inevitably threatened by various pathogens including Sacbrood virus (SBV) and Galleria mellonella. Recently, RNA interference (RNAi) has been suggested as a promising strategy for suppression of honey bee viruses. Also, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been widely applied for the control of lepidopteran pests such as G. mellonella. In this study, it was intended to develop dsRNA production platform using Bt. For this, the pHT1K-SBV vp1 vector which transcribes sense and anti-sense SBV vp1 gene under control of Cyt1Aa sporulation-dependent promoter was introduced into Bt strain NT0423 expressing Cry1-types toxins. SBV replication was suppressed in the worker A. cerana ingested dsRNA produced from the Bt transformant. Crystal proteins from the Bt transformant showed high level of insecticidal activity against 4th instar larvae of G. mellonella.
Developmental period of Trogoderma variabile can be affected by many factors. The larvae of Trogoderma variabile enter diapause in unfavorable conditions. In this study, a comparison will be made between feeds (wheat flour, mixture of wheat flour and bran, dried pollack) and humidity (15%, 60%) in the same temperature (30℃ ±0.5) for 6 months. In the results, there are differences between feeds. Feeding mixture of wheat flour and bran was the shortest developmental period. Feeding dried pollack took few months to emerge, although we could not observe emergence for wheat flour. Even though humidity makes differences for feeding dried pollack, there were no significant differences for mixture on the different humidity. From that results, we could assume that the strongest affect on the developmental period is feeding material. Additionally, depends on feeding material, the other factors may affect on the developmental period.
대표적인 산업곤충에는 장수풍뎅이(Allomyrina dichotoma), 흰점박이꽃무지(Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis), 쌍별귀뚜 라미(Gryllus bimaculatus), 갈색거저리(Tenebrio molitor) 등이 있으며 식용, 약용, 학습애완용 등 다양한 용도로 이용되고 있다. 곤충 산업의 발달로 인한 산업곤충의 집단사육은 곤충을 시간적 제약 없이 대량으로 공급할 수 있다는 장점이 있다. 그러나 밀폐된 공간에서 대량사육은 질병 발생 시 집단 감염 확률이 높고 결국 농가의 소득감소로 이어진다. 산업곤충 유충에서 주로 발생하는 곰팡이병과 세균병, 바이러스병은 유충의 성장을 방해하며 유충이 죽을 때 까지 감염 여부를 알기 어렵다. 따라서 이 연구는 곤충 질병 발생 조기 진단방법 개발을 위한 기초자료를 제공하고자 수행되었다. 장수풍뎅이를 대상으로 질병 감염이 의심되는 유충과, 감염되지 않은 건강충의 장내 미생물 군집에 차이가 나타나는지 비교하였다. 병사충과 건강충의 장내 미생물 군집 구조 차이 구명을 통해 병원성 미생물 감염여부를 조기에 진단하고, 질병의 대량 발생을 예방 할 수 있을 것으로 기대한다.
The purpose of this study was to determine the safe and effective method for preventing the occurrence of Oryctes rhinoceros Nudivirus in Allomyrina dichotoma on agricultural farms. There is a high demand for the use of A. dichotoma larvae in animal feed and as pet for educational purpose. Recently, we reported that OrNV is fatal virus diagnosed in A. dichotoma larvae in local farms in Korea. Mulberry leaves contain 1-deoxynojirimycin that represented anti-inflammatory, anti-virus, and anti-tumor effects. To prevent OrNV, we have fed the sawdust combined with 1% and 5% mulberry leaves powder to OrNV infected 2nd and 3rd stage larvae of A. dichotoma, and identified the mortality rate(%) during ten weeks. As a results, the 2nd stage larvae which were fed the sawdust combined with 5% mulberry leaves treatment recorded 60% mortality rate after ten weeks compared to the 100% mortality rate in the control. And the fatality rate of 3rd stage larvae which were fed 5% mulberry leaves treatment decreased 70% compared to the control. Therefore, application sawdust combined with mulberry leaves might be effective in the prevention and control of OrNV disease in A. dichotoma. Additionally, in the ten insect breading farms application test, OrNV virus disease have not appeared in the mulberry leaf powder treatment group.
Insects are gaining recognition as an alternative source of protein. Moreover, Protaetia brevitarsis was listed as a general food ingredient by Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. As a result, rearing insects has been growing in Korea and domestic farms have begun mass rearing of insects. In order to produce high quality insects, studies on the development of safe and nutritious feed sources are needed. Given the cost of rearing insects, agricultural and industrial by-products are good sources for feed. The efficient utilization of the by-product can help in reducing the cost of production and preventing environmental pollution. In this study, soybean milk residue was investigated for its effects on developmental characteristics of P. brevitarsis until larvae pupated. With three different kinds of feed on the larvae of beetles, the larvae with 10% of soybean milk residue showed the best result for the larval survival rate and growth rate of this beetle. In addition, the feed with 10% soybean milk residue had significantly shorter than control feed (only fermented oak sawdust). However, 20% of soybean milk residue decreased larval weight and extended larval development period. Therefore, we concluded that soybean milk residue were used as a nutritional feed source to promote larval growth and produce quality insects.
We investigated the effects of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colony size on the pollination of greenhouse-cultivated watermelon grown under the forcing cultivation system. The highest pollination activity of bees was observed (14.3 ± 5.0 honey bees/day) when the bee colony size was 10,000 honey bees, followed by 7,500 and 5,000 honey bees. There was a positive correlation between the bee colony size and pollination activity (R = 0.262). There was no significant difference in the fruit set with different honey bee colony sizes (88%–91%). However, the larger the bee colony size, the higher the number of seeds fertilized and the rate of seed fertilization (p > 0.05). The number of seeds and the content of sugar were negatively correlated (R = -0.714). Overall, we found that a colony size of 5,000 honey bees was the most effective for the pollination of watermelon grown under forcing cultivation.
Here, we investigated antioxidant defense mechanism in the spermatheca of A. mellifera queens via RNA-seq analysis of spermathecae in both mated and virgin queens. We identified the genes encoding antioxidant proteins, which were differentially expressed in the spermatheca of mated queens. The concentrations of antioxidant proteins, such as superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GTPX), and transferrin (Tf) together with the levels of ROS, H2O2, and iron were higher in the spermathecal fluid of mated queens as opposed to those in the spermathecal fluid of virgin queens; this indicated that increase in antioxidant protein concentration is an antioxidant defense mechanism occurring in the spermathecal fluid of mated queens against ROS; this mechanism involves conversion of ROS using antioxidant enzymes and Tf-mediated inhibition of the Fenton reaction occurring between Fe2+ and H2O2. Our data indicate that an increased expression of antioxidant proteins could facilitate prolonged storage and survival of sperms in the spermatheca of mated queens, suggesting the role of antioxidant proteins in antioxidative defense against ROS.