In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 18, No. 5 ( 2023-5-18), p. e0285934-
Abstract:
Insect body colors and patterns change markedly during development in some species as they adapt to their surroundings. The contribution of melanin and sclerotin pigments, both of which are synthesized from dopamine, to cuticle tanning has been well studied. Nevertheless, little is known about how insects alter their body color patterns. To investigate this mechanism, the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus , whose body color patterns change during postembryonic development, was used as a model in this study. We focused on the ebony and tan genes, which encode enzymes that catalyze the synthesis and degradation, respectively, of the precursor of yellow sclerotin N -β-alanyl dopamine (NBAD). Expression of the G . bimaculatus ( Gb ) ebony and tan transcripts tended to be elevated just after hatching and the molting period. We found that dynamic alterations in the combined expression levels of Gb’ebony and Gb’tan correlated with the body color transition from the nymphal stages to the adult. The body color of Gb’ebony knockout mutants generated by CRISPR/Cas9 systemically darkened. Meanwhile, Gb’tan knockout mutants displayed a yellow color in certain areas and stages. The phenotypes of the Gb’ebony and Gb’tan mutants probably result from an over-production of melanin and yellow sclerotin NBAD, respectively. Overall, stage-specific body color patterns in the postembryonic stages of the cricket are governed by the combinatorial expression of Gb’ebony and Gb’tan . Our findings provide insights into the mechanism by which insects evolve adaptive body coloration at each developmental stage.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.g003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.g004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.g005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.g006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.g007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.s005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.s006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.s007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.s008
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.s009
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.s010
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0285934.r004
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3
Permalink