La gestion de la résistance aux insecticides et plus particulièrement aux pyréthrinoïdes chez les vecteurs du paludisme est un enjeu majeur pour conserver les acquis de la lutte antivectorielle contre le paludisme. Parmi les mécanismes de résistance, de nombreux travaux ont porté sur les mutations de la cible insecticides (kdr) ou encore les enzymes qui métabolisent les molécules insecticides. La résistance cuticulaire chez Anopheles gambiae a jusqu'à ce jour au mieux été suspectée mais pas démontrée. Dans ce cadre, le but de ce travail était donc de déterminer i) s’il y a une implication de la cuticule dans le phénotype résistant d’Anopheles gambiae aux pyréthrinoïdes ; ii) de déterminer les principaux acteurs de cette résistance. Nous avons construit une souche d’Anopheles gambiae présentant un phénotype résistant (MRS) mais ne portant pas la mutation kdr. Notre approche a été d’étudier l’expression des gènes, mais aussi celle des protéines de la cuticule et celles intervenant dans la détoxication. L’ultrastructure de la cuticule, sa composition en chaines hydrocarbonées ainsi que sa perméabilité à la deltaméthrine ont aussi été testés. Nous avons montré que la cuticule est impliquée dans le phénotype résistant plus particulièrement en réduisant significativement la pénétration de la deltaméthrine dans le corps de l’insecte. La structure même de la cuticule est profondément modifiée chez MRS. Nos résultats indiquent l’implication des membres de la famille CPAP3 dans la résistance cuticulaire et probablement des chaines hydrocarbonées. Des enzymes métaboliques sont également impliqués. Au cours de ce travail, nous avons démontré l’existence de la résistance cuticulaire chez An.gambiae, ce mécanisme agit de concert avec les mécanismes de détoxication. La caractérisation des différents acteurs nous permettra surement de trouver de nouvelles cibles pour la lutte anti-vectorielle.Mots clés : Résistance, cuticule, An.gambiae, deltaméthrine, ultrastructure, perméabilité, protéines / The management of Anopheles insecticide resistance, especially to pyrethroids, is a key challenge to preserve success of vector control against malaria. Among resistance mechanisms target site mutation (kdr) and metabolic resistance are well known. Cuticular resistance in malaria vectors has been overlooked, just suggested but not established so far. The aim of this PhD work was to demonstrate i) the involvement of cuticle in pyrethroid resistance in An. gambiae; ii) to determine which components act on this mechanism. To achieve this, we built An.gambiae strain resistant to pyrethroids and free of kdr mutation (MRS). We studied both cuticular and metabolic genes and proteins expressions by transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. Cuticle ultrastructure and biochemical composition were also investigated. At least, cuticle permeability to deltamethrin was also assessed. Our results showed that cuticle is involved in resistant phenotype in An.gambiae. MRS cuticle reduces insecticide uptake in the mosquito’s body linked to an increasing cuticle thickness in MRS. Expression and chemical studies revealed that CPAP3 family and epicuticular hydrocarbons takes part in this process. This work also suggested that metabolic enzymes act together with cuticular mechanism to resistant phenotype. How the different components interacts could improve our knowledge of resistance and bring new target for vector control.Keywords: Resistance, cuticle, An.gambiae, deltamethrin, ultrastructure, permeability, proteins

L'ozone troposphérique est un gaz à effet de serre et un puissant oxydant qui impacte la santé et la production végétale. Afin d'analyser son impact sur le fonctionnement de la végétation il est nécessaire d'effectuer une partition entre le dépôt stomatique, qui pénètre à l'intérieur des feuilles, et le dépôt non stomatique, qui résulte de la destruction chimique de l'ozone sur les cuticules foliaires, le sol ou dans l'air à l'intérieur du couvert. L'objectif central de ce travail de thèse est d'améliorer la compréhension et la modélisation des processus impliqués dans le dépôt non stomatique d'ozone et plus particulièrement dans le dépôt sur les films d'eau à la surface des feuilles. Le modèle de transfert de masse et d'énergie sol-végétation-atmosphère MuSICA, capable d'estimer les quantités d'eau sur le feuillage à différents niveaux dans le couvert, a permis de modéliser la solubilisation puis la diffusion et réaction de l'ozone dans l'eau sur les feuilles. Cette voie de dépôt a permis d'expliquer les flux d'ozone observés sur blé en conditions humides en ajustant les valeurs du taux de réaction chimique de l'ozone dans le film d'eau de 103 s 1 en début de saison à 105 s 1 pendant la sénescence. Ce taux semble varier entre les espèces végétales (blé, hêtre et pin maritime) mais la tendance avec la sénescence persiste. Ces résultats ont été confortés par un dispositif expérimental original en laboratoire, sur blé, hêtre, pin blanc et chêne pédonculé. Des échanges de composés chimiques entre la feuille et le film d'eau réactifs avec l'ozone pourraient expliquer les ordres de grandeur obtenus et l'augmentation du taux de réaction en période de senescence. / Tropospheric ozone is a greenhouse gas but also a powerful oxidant that impacts vegetation health and productivity. In order to analyse the impact of ozone on vegetation functioning it is necessary to separate stomatal ozone deposition that penetrates inside the leaf interiors from non-stomatal deposition that result from ozone chemical destruction on leaf cuticles, in the soil or in the air inside the canopy. The central objective of this PhD work is to improve our understanding and modelling of the processes involved in non-stomatal ozone deposition and more specifically in ozone deposition on water films on leaf surfaces. For that purpose I used the soil-vegetation-atmosphere transfer model of mass and energy MuSICA. The choice of this model was motivated by its ability to estimate the quantities of water on foliage at different levels inside the canopy. This allowed me to model ozone dissolution, diffusion and reaction in the water film on wet leaves. This new deposition pathway could explain observed ozone fluxes over wheat in wet conditions by adjusting the chemical reaction rate of ozone in the water film from 103 s 1 at the beginning of the growing season, up to 105 s 1 during senescence. This reaction rate seemed to vary between species (wheat, beech, maritime pine) but the trend with the senescence remained. These results were then confirmed by lab experiments using an original setup, on wheat and beech, but also white pine and pedunculate oak. Exchanges of chemical compounds between the leaf and the water film that would react with ozone could explain the order of magnitude of the reaction rate and its increase during senescence.

The chicken eggshell possesses physical and chemical barriers to protect the embryo from pathogens. The avian eggshell cuticle is the outmost layer of the eggshell whose protein constituents remain largely unknown. Since eggs with incomplete or absent cuticle are more susceptible to bacterial contamination, we hypothesize that cuticle protein components play an important role in microbial resistance. In our study, at least 47 proteins were identified by LC/MS/MS in the non-calcified cuticle layer. Similar to Kunitz-like protease inhibitor (also annotated as ovocalyxin-25, OCX-25) and ovocalyxin-32 (OCX-32) were two of most abundant proteins of the cuticle proteins. Some proteins that have antimicrobial activity were also detected in the proteomic results, such as lysozyme C, ovotransferrin, ovocalyxin-32, cystatin, ovoinhibitor. This study represents the first comprehensive report of the cuticle proteome. Since the sequence similarity of the kunitz motif in OCX-25 is similar to that of BPTI, it is predicted that it will have the same trypsin inhibitory and antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and/or Gram-negative bacteria. In order to test the antimicrobial property and trypsin inhibitor activity of OCX-25, cuticle proteins were extracted by 1N HCl. Antimicrobial activity was monitored using the Bioscreen C instrument; and antimicrobial activity was identified primarily against Staphylococcus aureus. Trypsin inhibitor activity was studied by using a specific trypsin assay, and the assay indicated that the cuticle proteins could inhibit the reaction of trypsin and substrate. Therefore, the current research has provided some insight into the antimicrobial and enzymatic aspects of the cuticle proteins, and its function for egg protection. Eggshell membranes are another important component of the chicken eggshell.Due to its insoluble and stable properties, there are still many questions regarding formation and constituents of the eggshell membranes. The purpose of our study was to identify eggshell membrane proteins, particularly these responsible for its structural features, by examining the transcriptome of the white isthmus during its formation. Bioinformatics tools were applied to analyze the differentially expressed genes as well as their encoded proteins. Some interesting proteins were encoded by the over-expressed genes in the white isthmus during the formation of eggshell membranes, such as Collagen X, and similar to spore coat protein SP75. These proteins may have potential applications. Our study provides a detailed description of the chicken white isthmus transcriptome during formation of the eggshell membranes; it could lead to develop the strategies to improve food safety of the table egg.

La cutine est un polymère d'acides gras oxydés et de glycérol propre aux plantes. Elle forme la matrice structurale de la cuticule qui recouvre l'épiderme des parties aériennes et joue un rôle vital pour les plantes en empêchant la dessiccation. La biosynthèse du polymère de cutine a été étudiée chez la plante modèle Arabidopsis thaliana. Des mutants perte-de-fonction pour la monooxygénase de type cytochrome P450 CYP77A4 ont été isolés. L'analyse de lignées transgéniques exprimant le gène rapporteur GUS sous le contrôle du promoteur de CYP77A4 a montré que le gène était exprimé essentiellement dans les organes floraux et les graines. L'analyse de la cutine dans divers organes a permis de démontrer que le gène était essentiel pour la synthèse d'un acide gras trihydroxylé en C18 présent dans les polyesters des embryons. Une méthode permettant la séparation de l'embryon et des téguments des graines en quantité suffisante pour analyser la cutine a été mise au point. Le profil de monomères des embryons mutants a montré que CYP77A4 est une époxygénase de la voie de biosynthèse des monomères de cutine en C18. L'étude de la physiologie des mutants a par ailleurs permis de démontrer que les acides gras trihydroxylés de la cuticule de l'embryon jouent un rôle important dans la germination de la graine en conditions de stress salin. Dans une deuxième étude, des mutants perte-de-fonction et des suexpresseurs pour le gène d'Arabidopsis BODYGUARD (BDG) codant une protéine de la superfamille des hydrolases à repliement α/β ont été caractérisés. L'analyse des polyesters dans ces lignées a permis de montrer que cette protéine jouait en fait un rôle dans la biosynthèse de la cutine. / Cutin is a polymer of oxidized fatty acids and glycerol specific to plants. It forms the structural matrix of the waxy cuticle covering the epidermis of the aerial parts and plays a vital role in plants by preventing desiccation. Biosynthesis of cutin polymer was studied in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Mutant loss-of-function monooxygenase type cytochrome P450 CYP77A4 were isolated. The analysis of transgenic lines expressing the GUS reporter gene under the control of the promoter of CYP77A4 showed that the gene was expressed mainly in floral organs and seeds. The analysis of various organs in the cutin demonstrated that the gene was essential for the synthesis of a C18 trihydroxy polyesters present in seed polyesters (9,10,18-trihydroxyoctadecenoic acid). A method for the separation of the embryo and seed coat allowing to analyze embryo polyesters was developed. The trihydroxy C18 fatty acid was found to be the major cutin embryo monomer. Profile of cutin monomers in mutant embryos showed that CYP77A4 is an epoxygenase in the biosynthetic pathway of C18 cutin monomers. The study of the physiology of the mutants also showed that the trihydroxy- fatty acids of the embryo cuticle play an important role in the germination of the seed under conditions of salt stress. In a second study, mutant loss-of-function and overexpressors for the Arabidopsis gene BODYGUARD encoding a protein of the α / β hydrolase fold superfamily have been characterized. Analysis of polyesters in these lines showed that this protein, whose role in the formation of the cuticle was not understood, plays in fact a role in cutin biosynthesis.

A cutícula dos insetos é composta principalmente por uma variedade de proteínas que interagem com filamentos de quitina, um polímero de N-acetilglicosamina, para formar um envoltório rígido que protege e dá forma ao organismo. O crescimento dos insetos depende da renovação periódica da cutícula, que se desprende durante a apólise e é digerida enquanto a epiderme sintetiza uma nova cutícula substituta. Tal renovação caracteriza a muda e metamorfose e é coordenada por hormônios, com destaque para os ecdisteróides. O atual trabalho objetivou caracterizar a expressão diferencial de genes do tegumento (cutícula e epiderme subjacente), além de elucidar aspectos de regulação e função no contexto da muda e metamorfose, com foco nos genes codificadores de proteínas estruturais e enzimas cuticulares. Para este fim, utilizamos o tegumento de fases específicas da muda pupal-adulta, isto é, de pupas (Pw), de pupas em apólise (Pp) e de adultas faratas (Pbl) para análises de microarrays de cDNA. As análises dos microarrays mostraram 761 e 1173 genes diferencialmente expressos nos tegumentos de adultas faratas (Pbl) em comparação com pupas (Pw) ou pupas em apólise (Pp), respectivamente. A categorização destes genes, segundo os critérios do Gene Ontology, distinguiu totalmente o tegumento de adultas faratas (Pbl) dos tegumentos de pupas (Pw) ou pupas em apólise (Pp) tanto em relação ao critério Processo Biológico quanto em relação à Função molecular, evidenciando grande mudança na expressão gênica durante a construção do exoesqueleto definitivo nas adultas faratas (Pbl). Os microarrays mostraram aumento estatisticamente significante da expressão de 24 genes cuticulares no tegumento de adultas faratas. Este resultado foi validado por RT-PCR em tempo real (qRT-PCR) para 23 destes genes (AmelCPR3, AmelCPR4, AmelCPR6, AmelCPR14, AmelCPR15, AmelCPR17, AmelCPR23, AmelCPR24, AmelCPR25, AmelCPR28, AmelCPR29, AmelCPR30, apd-1, apd-2, apd-3, CPLCP1, Am-C, Am-D, AmelTwdl1, AmelTwdl2, GB12449, GB12811 e GB11550), e por RT-PCR semiquantitativa para o gene Amlac2. Além disto, a maior expressão de outros 2 genes cuticulares (AmelCPR1 e AmelCPR2) em adultas faratas foi demonstrada por qRT-PCR. Estes genes cuticulares positivamente regulados no tegumento de adultas faratas (Pbl) devem estar envolvidos com a formação e diferenciação do exoesqueleto definitivo. O aumento da expressão gênica neste período da muda (Pbl) é regulado pela variação do título de ecdisteróides e ocorre enquanto o título deste hormônio decai, após ter atingido o pico indutor da apólise na fase de desenvolvimento precedente (Pp). Ao contrário, as análises por qRT-PCR mostraram que 2 outros genes cuticulares (AmelCPF1 e AmelCPR1) são negativamente regulados no tegumento de adultas faratas em comparação com pupas, sugerindo que são específicos de cutícula pupal. Estes genes foram inibidos pelo aumento dos níveis de ecdisteróides, que induz a apólise. Vinte e um entre os 24 genes cuticulares diferencialmente expressos nos microarrays codificam proteínas pertencentes às famílias CPF, CPR, Apidermina, CPLCP, Análoga a peritrofina e Tweedle. Os outros 3 genes diferencialmente expressos (GB12449, GB12811, GB11550) não tinham sido ainda caracterizados como genes cuticulares. Dois deles, GB12449 e GB12811, foram sequenciados para validação da predição e para a caracterização das respectivas estruturas genômicas. Experimentos de hibridação in situ com sonda fluorescente (FISH) nos permitiram localizar altos níveis de transcritos destes genes no citoplasma de células da epiderme de adultas faratas, sugerindo fortemente sua natureza cuticular e envolvimento na construção do exoesqueleto definitivo. O presente estudo consiste na primeira análise global de expressão de genes do tegumento de uma espécie de himenóptero social. Os resultados apresentados levaram à identificação de genes com expressão associada à muda pupal-adulta e formação do exoesqueleto definitivo. Este trabalho contribui com novos dados moleculares para o aprofundamento do conhecimento da metamorfose de A. mellifera. / The insect cuticle is mainly composed of proteins that interact with chitin filaments to form a rigid structure that protects and shapes the organism. Insects grow through the periodic renewal of the cuticle, which is shed at each apolysis episode, and subsequently digested while the epidermis synthesizes the cuticle of the next stage. These molting events are coordinated by hormones, mainly ecdysteroids. The current work aimed to characterize differential gene expression in the integument (cuticle and underlying epidermis) during the ecdysteroid-regulated pupal-to-adult molt. Special attention was given to the structure and expression of genes encoding proteins and enzymes involved in cuticle formation and differentiation. To achieve these goals, we used thoracic integument of newly-ecdysed pupae (Pw), pupae in apolysis (Pp) and pharate adults (Pbl) in cDNA microarray analyses. The microarray analysis showed 761 and 1173 differentially expressed genes in the pharate adult integument (Pbl) in comparison to pupae (Pw) or pupae in apolysis (Pp), respectively. Gene Ontology terms for Biological Process and Molecular Function completely distinguished the integument of pharate adults (Pbl) from the integument of pupae (Pw) or pupae in apolysis (Pp). The microarray analysis discriminated 24 cuticular genes with a significant expression increase in the pharate adult integument. This was validated by real time RT-PCR analysis (qRT-PCR) for 23 of these genes (AmelCPR3, AmelCPR4, AmelCPR6, AmelCPR14, AmelCPR15, AmelCPR17, AmelCPR23, AmelCPR24, AmelCPR25, AmelCPR28, AmelCPR29, AmelCPR30, apd-1, apd-2, apd-3, CPLCP1, Am-C, Am-D, AmelTwdl1, AmelTwdl2, GB12449, GB12811 and GB11550), and by semiquantitative RT-PCR for Amlac2. In addition, the increased expression of other two cuticular genes (AmelCPR1 and AmelCPR2) was confirmed by qRT-PCR. These up-regulated cuticular genes in pharate adult integument apparently are involved in adult cuticle formation and differentiation, which occurs while the ecdysteroids titers decay, after reaching the peak that induces apolysis in the preceding phase (Pp). In contrast, two cuticular genes (AmelCPF1 e AmelCPR1) were confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis as negatively regulated in the integument of pharate adults compared to pupae, suggesting that they are specific to pupal cuticle. Therefore, these genes were inhibited by the increasing ecdysteroid levels that induce apolysis. Twenty one of the 24 cuticular genes differentially expressed in the microarrays encode proteins belonging to the CPF, CPR, Apidermin, CPLCP, Analogous to peritrofins and Tweedle families. The other three differentially expressed genes (GB12449, GB12811, GB11550) had not yet been assigned as cuticular genes. Two of them (GB12449 and GB12811) were sequenced, thus allowing prediction validation and gene structure characterization. In situ hybridization experiments using fluorescent probe (FISH) localized high expression of these genes in the pharate adult epidermis, strongly suggesting their involvement in the construction of the adult exoskeleton. This study is the first global gene expression analysis of the integument from a social hymenopteran species. The expression of genes in the integument was associated to the molting process and to the adult exoskeleton formation. This work contributes with new molecular data for a deeper understanding of A. mellifera metamorphosis.

MYB30 est un facteur de transcription d’Arabidopsis thaliana connu pour son rôle de régulateur positif des défenses via la production d’acides gras à très longue chaîne (VLCFA). La cuticule, une couche hydrophobe protectrice qui recouvre les parties aériennes de la plante, est composée majoritairement de molécules lipidiques dérivées des VLCFA. Dans cette thèse, nous avons montré que le gène MYB30 est exprimé dans les cellules épidermiques de l’embryon, à une étape du développement qui coïncide avec la mise en place de la cuticule embryonnaire. Nos travaux révèlent que lors de l’embryogenèse, MYB30 contrôle l’expression de gènes de biosynthèse de la cuticule et la production de composés cuticulaires. En accord avec cela, nous avons montré que MYB30 est requis pour la formation d’une cuticule embryonnaire fonctionnelle. De plus, l’expression de MYB30 est dépendante de GASSHO1 et GASSHO2 (GSO1/2), deux récepteurs de type Receptor Like Kinase (RLK) impliqués dans une voie de signalisation spécifique à la graine, nécessaire pour la formation de la cuticule chez l’embryon. Nos données indiquent également que MYB30 régule négativement l’expression de GSO2, et que MYB30 pourrait agir en aval des deux RLK pour la formation de la cuticule embryonnaire. D’autre part, nous avons montré que ces deux RLK jouent également un rôle positif dans l’activation des réponses immunitaires de la plante adulte. Enfin, notre étude indique que MYB30 est aussi impliqué dans l’élongation cellulaire chez les plantules étiolées probablement via la régulation de la production de composés pariétaux. En conclusion, ces travaux identifient de nouveaux rôles pour MYB30, et le placent à l’interface entre les réponses de défense et le développement de la plante. / MYB30 is an Arabidopsis thaliana transcription factor known for its role of positive regulator of defense responses through the production of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). The cuticle, a hydrophobic and protective layer that covers the aerial parts of the plant, is mainly composed of VLCFA-derived lipid molecules. In this thesis, we have shown that the MYB30 gene is expressed in the epidermal cells of the embryo, at a developmental stage that corresponds to the establishment of the embryonic cuticle. Our work reveals that during embryogenesis, MYB30 controls the expression of cuticle biosynthetic genes and the production of cuticular compounds. In agreement, we have shown that MYB30 is required for the formation of a functional embryonic cuticle. In addition, MYB30 expression is dependent on GASSHO1 and GASSHO2 (GSO1/2), two Receptor Like Kinases (RLKs) involved a seed-specific signaling pathway, necessary for the cuticle formation in the embryo. Our data also indicates that MYB30 negatively regulates GSO2 expression and that MYB30 may act downstream of the two RLKs in embryonic cuticle formation. Moreover, we have shown that these two RLKs also play a positive role in the activation of immune responses in adult plants. Finally, our study indicates that MYB30 is additionally involved in cell elongation in etiolated seedlings, likely by regulating the production of cell wall components. In conclusion, this work identifies new roles of MYB30, placing it at a crossroads between defense responses and plant development.

Chez les plantes vasculaires, le métabolisme des phénylpropanoïdes conduit à la synthèse de précurseurs de biopolymères structuraux tels que la lignine, ainsi que de nombreux composés antioxydants et anti-UV. Ce métabolisme phénolique est apparu lors de la colonisation des terres par les plantes et a été critique pour leur adaptation à ce nouvel environnement. Physcomitrella patens, une bryophyte phylogénétiquement proche des premières plantes terrestres, est un bon modèle pour l'étude de certains caractères ancestraux. P. patens est dépourvue de lignine. En combinant des approches phylogénomique, génétique et biochimique, ce travail démontre le rôle essentiel de deux BAHD hydroxycinnamoyl tranférases dans le métabolisme phénolique de la mousse et la formation de précurseurs de la cuticule, une couche hydrophobe qui recouvre les parties aériennes de la plante et lui confère une imperméabilité. Il suggère également que deux hydroxycinnamoyl transférases sont requises pour la formation des composés phénoliques solubles accumulés par la mousse. Une exploration préliminaire du métabolisme des flavonoïdes chez ce modèle révèle d’autre part le caractère incomplet et primitif de cette voie métabolique. / In vascular plants, the phenylpropanoid metabolism leads to the synthesis of precursors of structural biopolymers such as lignin and of essential antioxidants and UV screens. The phenolic pathway leading to these compounds appeared upon plant land colonization and is thought critical for their adaptation to this new environment. Physcomitrella patens is a bryophyte, an early-diverging land plant and thus a good model to reveal ancestral traits. P. patens is devoid of lignin. Combining phylogenomic, genetic and biochemical approaches, this work demonstrates the essential role of two BAHD hydroxycinnamoyl transferases in the moss phenolic metabolism and in the formation of precursors of the cuticle, a hydrophobic layer, covering and conferring impermeability to the aerial parts of the plant. It also suggests that two nonredundant hydroxycinnamoyl transferases are required for the formation of the soluble phenolic compounds accumulated in moss. A preliminary exploration of the flavonoid metabolism in this model in addition reveals primitive features of this metabolic route.

Both during the ovogenesis and immediately after the laying is a bird egg exposed to strong pressure from the microorganisms which are able to penetrate the egg through eggshell pores and infect its inner structures. With regard to the proved negative effects on hatchability, viability and phenotype of offspring, a cascade of obstacles has evolved which are able to minimize the risk of bacterial infection. The deposition of antimicrobial components into the eggshell and the egg white is considered to be one of them. A whole group of egg white proteins belong to them, among which lysozyme and ovotransferrin, which are also partially deposited into the eggshell and cuticular layer of the eggshell, dominate with their antimicrobial effect. The implication of the newest studies is that the microbial protection of the egg can be also performed by the eggshell pigments - biliverdin and protoporphyrin, which protect the egg from being colonized by microorganisms with an increased UV light and regulation of conductivity and water vapour condensation on the egg surface. Even though the presence of these antimicrobial components in different structures of the egg has been proved, there is no known comparative study which addresses the relation between deposition of selected antimicrobial components into...

The variation in the insect immune system is an important regulator of insect populations and the pathogens they carry. A central component of insect immunity is melanin, whose production creates cytotoxic intermediates that help to protect against a broad spectrum of pathogens. Melanin is also used in insect cuticle where it helps to improve thermoregulation and desiccation resistance, with insects having less melanized cuticles in warmer and more humid environments. Considering that cuticle melanin and immune melanin are formed by near identical biochemical pathways, they are pleiotropically linked (that is, one or more linked genes influence multiple traits). This has lead to the cuticle-dependent immune investment (CDII) hypothesis, which states that adaptive responses in the cuticle can lead to non-adaptive changes in immunity and could lead to an increase in transmission of insect vectored pathogens in warming climates, due to a weaker defense against the pathogen. However, the impact of CDII on cuticle melanin and immunity, as well as infection prevalence and intensity, under seasonal conditions in the field is still unclear. In this project, we study a population of Asian citrus psyllids, Diaphorina citri, in the field over four seasons. Diaphorina citri vectors a Gram-negative bacteria, Candidatus Liberbacter asiaticus (CLas), that is responsible for Huanglongbing, aka citrus greening disease, which has cost the Florida citrus industry several billion dollars. We assess pathogen load of CLas by quantitative PCR, and assess levels of phenoloxidase activity in the insect hemolymph to measure insect immune function. We assess levels of cuticle melanin. Our results show a significant correlation between temperature, cuticle melanin, and immune function. However, the affect of seasonality on infection prevalence and intensity remains unclear. THE EFFECT OF CLIMATE ON PHYSIOLOGY AND IMMUNE FUNCTION IN THE ASIAN CITRUS PSYLLID, DIAPHORINA CITRI

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