Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is a unique mitochondrial membranous protein expressed in brown adipose tissue (BAT) in mammals. While its expression in response to cold temperatures and adipogenic inducers is well-characterized in mammals and human infants, the molecular characterization and expression of UCP1 in fish remain unexplored. To address this gap, we analyzed UCP1 expression in response to adipogenic inducers in a fish cell line, rainbow trout gonadal cells (RTG-2), and compared it with UCP1 expression in three mammalian preadipocytes, 3T3-L1, T37i, and WT1 exposed to the Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists, rosiglitazone (Rosi). In mammalian preadipocytes, UCP1 protein was highly expressed by Rosi, with an induction of adipogenesis observed in a time-dependent manner. This suggests that UCP1 plays a significant role in adipogenesis in mammals. However, RTG-2 cells showed no response to adipogenic inducers and exhibited only marginal expressions of UCP1. These results imply that RTG-2 cells may lack crucial responsive mechanisms to adipogenic signals or that the adipogenic response is regulated by other mechanisms. Further studies are needed to confirm these phenomena in fish preadipocytes when an appropriate cell line is established in future research.

The effect of electron beam irradiation on development and reproduction of imidacloprid-resistant (R strain) and -susceptible (S strain) Aphis gossypii were compared. Nymphs and adults of R and S strain were irradiated at target doses of 50, 100, 150, and 200 Gy. When nymphs were irradiated, emergence was not affected at all target dose, but number of F1 nymph was perfectly inhibited at 150 Gy in both strains. When irradiated to the adults, longevity slightly decrease at 150 Gy and above. Fecundity was strongly decreased at 100 Gy, but was not completely inhibited even at 200 Gy. Emergence of F1 nymph was decreased at 100 Gy and completely inhibited at 200 Gy. However, there were no significant differences on development and reproduction of R and S strain. We also conducted the comet assay immediately after irradiation and over the following 10 day period. Severe DNA fragmentation in A. gossypii cells was observed just after irradiation and the damage was repaired during the post-irradiation period in a time-dependent manner. These results suggest that electron beam irradiation induced abnormal development, reproduction, and DNA damage in A. gossypii, but there were no significant differences between R and S strain.

The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Glover) (Hemiptera:Aphididae), is a highly polyphagous pest that directly or indirectly damages cultivated plants. Six field-collected populations of cotton aphid, A. gossypii (BY-A, BY-B, YJ-A, YJ-B, CJ-A, and CJ-B) were tested for susceptibility to 14 different insecticides. Most population exhibited high to very high levels of resistance to neonicotinoid. Among them, a strain showing resistance to imidacloprid were selected and showed 1,543-fold in resistance as compared with susceptible strain. Piperonyl butoxide (PBO), diethyl maleate (DEM), and S,S,S tributyl-phosphorothiolate (DEF) failed to synergize imidacloprid in this resistant population. In addition, the activity of detoxification enzymes (P450, EST, GST) were no differences between susceptibility and imidalcoprid resistance strain. However, by analyzing the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor β1 subunit loop D, R81T point mutation was detected in BY-A, BY-B, YJ-A, and YJ-B strain.

The influence of electron beam irradiation on each developmental stage and reproduction of Spodoptera litura were examined. Eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults were irradiated at target doses of 30, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 Gy. When eggs were irradiated with 100 Gy, egg hatching was perfectly inhibited. When irradiated to the larvae, pupation was inhibited at 100 Gy and larval period was delayed. When irradiated to the pupae, emergence was inhibited at 100 Gy and above. When irradiated to the adults, longevity and fecundity did not show any differences. However, egg hatching was strongly decreased at 100 Gy and above. Also, electron beam irradiation was not induced the instantaneous death of S. litura. Reciprocal crosses between irradiated and unirradiated moths demonstrated that males were more radiotolerant than females. Adult longevity was not affected in all stages. The levels of DNA damage in S. litura adults were evaluated using the alkaline comet assay. Our results indicate that electron beam irradiation increased levels of DNA damage. These results suggest that electron beam irradiation induced abnormal development and reproduction by DNA damage in S. litura.

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), is one of the most important pest species devastating many horticultural, ornamental crops and fruit trees. Difficulty in managing this mite is largely attributed to its ability to develop resistance to many acaricides. Development of 3,700 folds resistance to etoxazole was found in the population of T. urticae collected from rose greenhouses in Buyeo, Chungnam Province in August 2000. This population has been selected for eleven years with etoxazole (over 500 times), and increased over 5,000,000 fold in resistance as compared with susceptible strain (S). Etoxazole-resistant strain was shown to be maternally inherited. The objective of this study was to determine whether resistance of T. urticae to etoxazole was linked with point mutations in the mitochondrial gene. DNA sequencing of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COX1), COX2, COX3, cytochrome b (CYTB), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1), ND2, ND3, ND4, ND5, and ND6 were analyzed by comparing two isogenic etoxazole-susceptible (EtoS) and etoxazole-resistant (EtoR) strains. As a result, all genes revealed no point mutations between the two strains.