Insects represent one of the most evolutionarily successful groups,with their diversity hypothesized to be related to the regulatory roles of Hox genes,a set of related genes encoding homeodomain transcription factors...Insects represent one of the most evolutionarily successful groups,with their diversity hypothesized to be related to the regulatory roles of Hox genes,a set of related genes encoding homeodomain transcription factors determining the identity of segments along the anterior-posterior axis of the embryo.However,functional insights into the roles of Hox genes in primitive ametabolous insects,which represent the critical transition from aquatic crustaceans to winged insects,have been limited.In this study,we identified complete protein-coding sequences of 10 Hox genes in the Zygentoma Thermobia domestica,and applied clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9(Cas 9)mediated gene knockout(KO)to decipher their functions.We found that the roles of pb,Dfd,and Scr are vital in specifying the appendages of the head in T.domestica,and these roles are relatively conserved in crustaceans and winged insects.Antp is essential for the development of the prothorax segment and the first pair of legs in T.domestica.Ubx and abd-A fully repress appendage development in the abdomen of T.domestica,which implies a functional switch from crustaceans to insects.Additionally,the role of ftz in segmenting the abdomen of T.domestica suggests it has acquired new functions in primitive insects,beyond its traditional Hox-like roles.Although KOs of lab,Hox3,and Abd-B did not result in obvious external phenotypic changes,they led to a significant decrease in hatching rates and substantial deviations in daily survival numbers compared to the negative control.These findings underscore the indispensable roles of all Hox genes during the embryonic development of T.domestica.Our study sheds new light on the functional evolution of Hox genes in ametabolous insects and enhances our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of insect development and diversification.展开更多
With the rapid development of wearable and intelligent flexible electronic devices(FEDs),the demand for flexible energy storage/conversion devices(ESCDs)has also increased.Rechargeable flexible metal‐air batteries(MA...With the rapid development of wearable and intelligent flexible electronic devices(FEDs),the demand for flexible energy storage/conversion devices(ESCDs)has also increased.Rechargeable flexible metal‐air batteries(MABs)are expected to be one of the most ideal ESCDs due to their high theoretical energy density,cost advantage,and strong deformation adaptability.With the improvement of the device design,material assemblies,and manufacturing technology,the research on the electrochemical performance of flexible MABs has made significant progress.However,achieving the high mechanical flexibility,high safety,and wearable comfortability required by FEDs while maintaining the high performance of flexible MABs are still a daunting challenge.In this review,flexible Zn‐air and Li‐air batteries are mainly exemplified to describe the most recent progress and challenges of flexible MABs.We start with an overview of the structure and configuration of the flexible MABs and discuss their impact on battery performance and function.Then it focuses on the research progress of flexible metal anodes,gel polymer electrolytes,and air cathodes.Finally,the main challenges and future research perspectives involving flexible MABs for FEDs are proposed.展开更多
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.32170425,32470443,32300388).
文摘Insects represent one of the most evolutionarily successful groups,with their diversity hypothesized to be related to the regulatory roles of Hox genes,a set of related genes encoding homeodomain transcription factors determining the identity of segments along the anterior-posterior axis of the embryo.However,functional insights into the roles of Hox genes in primitive ametabolous insects,which represent the critical transition from aquatic crustaceans to winged insects,have been limited.In this study,we identified complete protein-coding sequences of 10 Hox genes in the Zygentoma Thermobia domestica,and applied clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9(Cas 9)mediated gene knockout(KO)to decipher their functions.We found that the roles of pb,Dfd,and Scr are vital in specifying the appendages of the head in T.domestica,and these roles are relatively conserved in crustaceans and winged insects.Antp is essential for the development of the prothorax segment and the first pair of legs in T.domestica.Ubx and abd-A fully repress appendage development in the abdomen of T.domestica,which implies a functional switch from crustaceans to insects.Additionally,the role of ftz in segmenting the abdomen of T.domestica suggests it has acquired new functions in primitive insects,beyond its traditional Hox-like roles.Although KOs of lab,Hox3,and Abd-B did not result in obvious external phenotypic changes,they led to a significant decrease in hatching rates and substantial deviations in daily survival numbers compared to the negative control.These findings underscore the indispensable roles of all Hox genes during the embryonic development of T.domestica.Our study sheds new light on the functional evolution of Hox genes in ametabolous insects and enhances our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of insect development and diversification.
基金supported by the the National Natural This study was financially supported by the National Youth Top‐notch Talent Support Program,the State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering Funds(2020C03)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31971614,32071714,21736003,and 52003083)+2 种基金Guangzhou Science and Technology Funds(201904010078 and 202002030167)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation funded project(2019T120725,2019M652882,2019M662924,2020M682711,and 2020M682710)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2020A1515110705)。
文摘With the rapid development of wearable and intelligent flexible electronic devices(FEDs),the demand for flexible energy storage/conversion devices(ESCDs)has also increased.Rechargeable flexible metal‐air batteries(MABs)are expected to be one of the most ideal ESCDs due to their high theoretical energy density,cost advantage,and strong deformation adaptability.With the improvement of the device design,material assemblies,and manufacturing technology,the research on the electrochemical performance of flexible MABs has made significant progress.However,achieving the high mechanical flexibility,high safety,and wearable comfortability required by FEDs while maintaining the high performance of flexible MABs are still a daunting challenge.In this review,flexible Zn‐air and Li‐air batteries are mainly exemplified to describe the most recent progress and challenges of flexible MABs.We start with an overview of the structure and configuration of the flexible MABs and discuss their impact on battery performance and function.Then it focuses on the research progress of flexible metal anodes,gel polymer electrolytes,and air cathodes.Finally,the main challenges and future research perspectives involving flexible MABs for FEDs are proposed.
