Biology subjects

Wang, Y.-M.

Publications and source records attributed to Wang, Y.-M..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

LadybirdBase: a comprehensive biology, ecology and omics resource for ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae)

Ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) represent a highly diverse insect group comprising over 6000 species. Recently, an increasing amount of omics data on ladybirds has accumulated. To better understand their roles and adaptations in biological control, we developed LadybirdBase (http://www.ladybirdbase.com/), a comprehensive database that compiles both published and self-collected data on ladybird beetles. It contains five main modules that encompass: (1) the Biology Module summarizing information on over 6000 species, including their classification, morphology, diet, distribution, and omics data; (2) the Ecology Module offering diet and distribution records; (3) the Genomics Module integrating published and unpublished resources such as genomes, transcriptomes, mitogenomes, orthogroups, and variance; (4) the Microbiomics Module presenting 16S rRNA, ITS, and metagenome data; and (5) the Lab Test Module covering diet ranges, life histories under different treatments, and stress tolerance. Additionally, LadybirdBase offers analysis tools for species detection using morphology or barcodes, BLAST searches against the genome resources, differential gene expression analysis, and PCR primer search. LadybirdBase can greatly simplify species identification, enhance the efficiency of omics studies, and provide a theoretical foundation for the use of ladybirds in biological control.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2020

Assessing the cognitive status of Drosophila by the value-based feeding decision

Decision making is considered an important aspect of cognitive function. Impaired decision making is a consequence of cognitive decline caused by various physiological conditions, such as aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Here we exploited the value-based feeding decision (VBFD) assay, which is a simple sensory-motor task, to determine the cognitive status of Drosophila. Our results indicated the deterioration of VBFD is notably correlated with aging and neurodegenerative disorders. Restriction of the mushroom body (MB) neuronal activity partly blunted the proper VBFD. Furthermore, using the Drosophila polyQ disease model, we demonstrated the impaired VBFD is ameliorated by the dinitrosyl iron complex (DNIC-1), a novel and steady nitric oxide (NO)-releasing compound. Therefore we propose that the VBFD assay provides a robust assessment of Drosophila cognition and can be used to characterize additional neuroprotective interventions.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

Gut expressed vitellogenin is hijacked by a virus to facilitate its spread

Insect vitellogenin (Vg) has been considered to be synthesized in the female fat body, secreted into hemolymph, and taken up by developing oocytes to serve as nutrition for embryo development. However, the expression and function of Vg in other tissues are largely unknown. Here, we show that Vg is expressed in the whitefly midgut epithelial cells and secreted into gut lumen where it binds to the microvillar membrane. Furthermore, we find that the midgut expressed Vg is hijacked by Tomato yellow leaf curl virus to facilitate the movement of virus crossing the midgut wall. Silencing of Vg or immune-blocking the interaction between viral coat protein and midgut Vg inhibited virus movement across the midgut wall and decreased virus transmission. Our findings show possession of functional Vg in the midgut of an insect, and reveal a novel mechanism involved in the movement of virus crossing the midgut barrier of vector insect.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Integrating Genomic and Transcriptomic Data to Reveal Genetic Mechanisms Underlying Piao Chicken Rumpless Trait

Piao chicken, a rare Chinese native poultry breed, lacks primary tail structures, such as pygostyle, caudal vertebra, uropygial gland and tail feathers. So far, the molecular mechanisms underlying tail absence in this breed have remained unclear. We employed comprehensive comparative transcriptomic and genomic analyses to unravel potential genetic underpinnings of rumplessness in the Piao chicken. Our results reveal many biological factors involved in tail development and several genomic regions under strong positive selection in this breed. These regions contain candidate genes associated with rumplessness, including IRX4, IL-18, HSPB2, and CRYAB. Retrieval of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and gene functions implied that rumplessness might be consciously or unconsciously selected along with the high-yield traits in Piao chicken. We hypothesize that strong selection pressures on regulatory elements might lead to gene activity changes in mesenchymal stem cells of the tail bud and eventually result in tail truncation by impeding differentiation and proliferation of the stem cells. Our study provides fundamental insights into early initiation and genetic bases of the rumpless phenotype in Piao chicken.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2018

Determination of sex of sacrum in adult Macaca mulatta

[Abstract]O_ST_ABSBackgroundC_ST_ABSSacrum being a part of pelvis is an important bone for identification of sex in both living primates and fossil ones.\n\nAimAim of this work was to examine the sex differences of sacral parameters in rhesus macaques and to compare with those of the other primates.\n\nMaterials and MethodsFifty-six adult scara of macaques (17 males and 39 females) have been investigated. Measurement of various parameters was done using sliding vernier calliper; and statistical analysis was done using SPSS 23.0 package.\n\nResultsThe present study showed that the cranial breadth of the sacrum, the sacral length, transverse diameter and sagittal diameter of the cranial articular surface, and two indices of relative sacral breadth were highly significant for sex determination in Macaca mulatta. Comparison of the present data with other studies suggest that sex determination of sacrum can be very different in various types of primates.\n\nConclusionThe results suggest that these measures may be functionally integrated in response to locomotion, obstetric adequacy and cephalopelvic proportions in primates. Sacral index is more reliable and should be applied for sex determination of sacrum in various anatomical and anthropological investigations.

animal behavior and cognition↗