Generation of transgenic lines for studying of the brain development in Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Germ-line transformation of insects is now widely used for analyzing gene function and for the development of genetically modified strains for various purposes. There is not enough information on the embryonic development of some brain parts in insects. In order to study the genetic control of embryonic brain development, we established some transgenic lines to identify some genes involved in embryonic brain development. The genome has been sequenced and transgenic approaches are established for this model organism. Transposable element piggyBac was used as a vector for the transformation of T. castaneum. Tc-vermilion line- a Tribolium eye-color mutant- was also used for the microinjection of the donor vector. The donor vector contained the Tc-vermilion gene under the control of 3xP3 promoter, resulting in black eyes as a marker of their identity. In the present study, several transgenic lines bearing the regulatory regions of some importantgenes were generated. Additionally, transgenic lines for tracing of neuroblast development from the onset to the respective fully developed structure in the brain were established. Taken together, valuable tools which allow investigations of the complex genetic network needed for embryonic brain development in T. castaneum were established.Furthermore, the system will allow identification of genes and their functions in Tribolium brain formation.