TO and TD were supported by JSPS KAKENHI grant numbers 19H02970 and 20H02999, respectively.

1. Maintenance of laboratory colonies
<ol>
	<li>For the maintenance of wildtype and mutant populations, use a large plastic container (460 mm x 360 mm x 170 mm) with regular artificial fish food, water in plastic cups with a ventilation hole on the top, a folded paper for hiding the insects, and layered cotton for laying eggs (Figure 2A). Keep all T. domestica cultures inside 37 &#176;C incubators and set the relative humidity (RH) inside each container to 60%&#8211;80%. 
	NO...

<ol>
	<li>Peterson, M. D., Rogers, B. T., Popadi&#263;, A., Kaufman, T. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+embryonic+expression+pattern+of+labial,+posterior+homeotic+complex+genes+and+the+teashirt+homologue+in+an+apterygote+insect.">The embryonic expression pattern of labial, posterior homeotic complex genes and the teashirt homologue in an apterygote insect.</a> Development Genes and Evolution. 209, 77-90 (1999).</li><li>Farris, S. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Developmental+organization+of+the+mushroom+bodies+of+Thermobia+domestica+(Zygentoma,+Lepismatidae):+Insights+into+mushroom+body+evolution+from+a+basal+insect.">Developmental organization of the mushroom bodies of Thermobia domestica (Zygentoma, Lepismatidae): Insights into mushroom body evolution from a basal insect.</a> Evolution and Development. 7, 150-159 (2005).</li><li>Kamae, Y., Tanaka, F., Tomioka, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+cloning+and+functional+analysis+of+the+clock+genes,+Clock+and+cycle,+in+the+firebrat+Thermobia+domestica.">Molecular cloning and functional analysis of the clock genes, Clock and cycle, in the firebrat Thermobia domestica.</a> Journal of Insect Physiology. 56, 1291-1299 (2010).</li><li>Ohde, T., Masumoto, M., Yaginuma, T., Niimi, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Embryonic+RNAi+analysis+in+the+firebrat,+Thermobia+domestica:+Distal-less+is+required+to+form+caudal+filament.">Embryonic RNAi analysis in the firebrat, Thermobia domestica: Distal-less is required to form caudal filament.</a> Journal of Insect Biotechnology and Sericology. 105, 99-105 (2009).</li><li>Ohde, T., Yaginuma, T., Niimi, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nymphal+RNAi+analysis+reveals+novel+function+of+scalloped+in+antenna,+cercus+and+caudal+filament+formation+in+the+firebrat,+Thermobia+domestica.">Nymphal RNAi analysis reveals novel function of scalloped in antenna, cercus and caudal filament formation in the firebrat, Thermobia domestica.</a> Journal of Insect Biotechnology and Sericology. 108, 101-108 (2012).</li><li>Bell&#233;s, X. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Beyond+Drosophila:+RNAi+in+vivo+and+functional+genomics+in+insects.">Beyond Drosophila: RNAi in vivo and functional genomics in insects.</a> Annual Review of Entomology. 55, 111-128 (2010).</li><li>Ohde, T., Takehana, Y., Shiotsuki, T., Niimi, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=CRISPR/Cas9-based+heritable+targeted+mutagenesis+in+Thermobia+domestica:+A+genetic+tool+in+an+apterygote+development+model+of+wing+evolution.">CRISPR/Cas9-based heritable targeted mutagenesis in Thermobia domestica: A genetic tool in an apterygote development model of wing evolution.</a> Arthropod Structure and Development. 47, 362-369 (2018).</li><li>Nji, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=CRISPR/Cas9+in+insects:+Applications,+best+practices+and+biosafety+concerns.">CRISPR/Cas9 in insects: Applications, best practices and biosafety concerns.</a> Journal of Insect Physiology. 98, 245-257 (2017).</li><li>Brand, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+origin+of+the+odorant+receptor+gene+family+in+insects.">The origin of the odorant receptor gene family in insects.</a> eLife. 7, 1-13 (2018).</li><li>Noble-Nesbitt, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Water+balance+in+the+firebrat,+Thermobia+domestica+(Packard).+Exchanges+of+water+with+the+atmosphere.">Water balance in the firebrat, Thermobia domestica (Packard). Exchanges of water with the atmosphere.</a> Journal of Experimental Biology. 50, 745-769 (1969).</li><li>Sweetman, H. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Physical+ecology+of+the+firebrat,+Thermobia+domestica+(Packard).">Physical ecology of the firebrat, Thermobia domestica (Packard).</a> Ecological Monographs. 8, 285-311 (1938).</li><li>Nijhout, H. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Insect Hormones. , (1994).</li><li>Chen, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Efficient+detection,+quantification+and+enrichment+of+subtle+allelic+alterations.">Efficient detection, quantification and enrichment of subtle allelic alterations.</a> DNA Research. 19, 423-433 (2012).</li><li>Mashal, R. D., Koontz, J., Sklar, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Detection+of+mutations+by+cleavage+of+DNA+heteroduplexes+with+bacteriophage+resolvases.">Detection of mutations by cleavage of DNA heteroduplexes with bacteriophage resolvases.</a> Nature Genetics. 9, 177-183 (1995).</li><li>Adams, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biological+notes+upon+the+firebrat,+Thermobia+domestica+Packard.">Biological notes upon the firebrat, Thermobia domestica Packard.</a> Journal of the New York Entomological Society. 41, 557-562 (1933).</li></ol>

For the successful generation of the desired T. domestica mutant with CRISPR/Cas9, it is first important to collect a sufficient number of staged embryos for injection. For a constant collection of a sufficient number of T. domestica eggs, the key is to select an appropriate size of the container to have a lower population density because it would help the successful completion of a series of complex mating behaviors, which is repeated after every adult molt13. A male T. dome...

Thermobia domestica belongs to one of the most basal insect orders, Zygentoma, which retains an ancestral ametabolous and wingless life cycle. Such basal phylogenetic position and ancestral characteristics set this species as an attractive model for studying the mechanisms underlying the success of insects on Earth, which cover over 70% of the described animal species1. T. domestica has long been used mainly to study ancestral characteristics of insect physiology because of its suitable features as a laboratory model, such as a relatively short lifecycle (2.5&#8211;3.0 months from embryo to reproductive adult; Figure 1A) and an easy breeding. In the past three decades, its use has been expanded to investigate ancestral characteristics of various traits such as body plan, neural differentiation, and circadian rhythms2,3,4.
The application of advanced genetic tools in T. domestica could further accelerate such contributions in a wide research area. Successful RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene knockdown in embryos, nymphs, and adults has been reported in T. domestica4,5,6. The efficiency of systemic RNAi is still highly species-dependent&#8212;for example, it is generally high in coleoptera whereas it is low in the lepidoptera order7. The efficiency and duration of the RNAi knockdown in T. domestica is yet to be assessed. In addition to RNAi, we have previously reported a successful CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knockout in T. domestica8. The CRISPR/Cas system has been widely applied for genome editing in insects particularly for targeted gene knockout. Its use could be expanded for other applications such as gene reporter assay, cell lineage tracking, and manipulation of transcriptional activity by knocking-in exogenous constructs after the establishment of a protocol for delivering components of the CRISPR/Cas system into nuclei9. Combined with the published genome assembly10, the wide use and further development of the CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing in T. domestica would facilitate studies focusing on the evolutionary mechanisms behind the outstanding adaptive success of insects. Here, we describe a detailed protocol for embryo microinjection and for mating adult T. domestica to generate a mutant strain using CRISPR/Cas9. Considering this novel method, we discuss the importance of considering the unique biology of non-traditional model species for successful applications of these techniques.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>24-well plate</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>83-3738</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alt-R S.p. HiFi Cas9 Nuclease V3, 100 &#181;g</td>
			<td>Integrated DNA Technologies</td>
			<td>1081060</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-static cleaner</td>
			<td>Hozan</td>
			<td>Z-292</td>
			<td>for removing static electricity from a 24-well plate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Barrier Box 20.7L</td>
			<td>AS ONE</td>
			<td>4-5606-01</td>
			<td>Large container</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FemtoJet 4i</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td>5252000013</td>
			<td>Electronic microinjector</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Femtotip II, injection capillary</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td>5242957000</td>
			<td>Glass injection capillary</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>High Pack 2440mL</td>
			<td>AS ONE</td>
			<td>5-068-25</td>
			<td>Middle-sized container</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Incubator</td>
			<td>Panasonic</td>
			<td>MIR-554-PJ</td>
			<td>for 37 &#176;C incubation. No need to humidify inside the incubator.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KOD Fx Neo</td>
			<td>Toyobo</td>
			<td>KFX-101</td>
			<td>PCR enzyme for genotyping. Optimized for an amplification from crude templates.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Magnetic stand</td>
			<td>Narishige</td>
			<td>GJ-8</td>
			<td>for holding the micromanipulator</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microloader</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td>5242956003</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micromanipulator</td>
			<td>Narishige</td>
			<td>MM-3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td>SZX12</td>
			<td>for microinjection. More than 35X magnification is sufficient for the microinjection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MultiNA</td>
			<td>Shimadzu</td>
			<td>MCE-202</td>
			<td>Microchip electrophoresis system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NiceTac</td>
			<td>Nichiban</td>
			<td>NW-5</td>
			<td>Double-sided tape to place eggs on a glass slide</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paint brush (horse hair)</td>
			<td>Pentel</td>
			<td>ZBS1-0</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plant culture dish</td>
			<td>SPL Life Sciences</td>
			<td>310100</td>
			<td>Mating dish and water supplies for a large and middle-sized containers</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Proteinase K, recombinant, PCR Grade Lyophilizate from Pichia pastoris</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>3115836001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SZX 12 microscope</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td>SZX 12</td>
			<td>More than 35X magnification is sufficient for the microinjection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Talcum powder</td>
			<td>Maruishi</td>
			<td>877113</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tetra Goldfish Gold Growth</td>
			<td>Spectrum Brands</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Artificial regular fish food</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

egg microinjection and efficient mating for genome editing in the firebrat thermobia domestica

The firebrat Thermobia domestica is an ametabolous, wingless species that is suitable for studying the developmental mechanisms of insects that led to their successful evolutionary radiation on the earth. The application of genetic tools such as genome editing is the key to understanding genetic changes that are responsible for evolutionary transitions in an Evo-Devo approach. In this article, we describe our current protocol for generating and maintaining mutant strains of T. domestica. We report a dry injection method, as an alternative to the reported wet injection method, that allows us to obtain stably high survival rates in injected embryos. We also report an optimized environment setting to mate adults and obtain subsequent generations with high efficiency. Our method underlines the importance of taking each species&#8217; unique biology into account for the successful application of genome editing methods to non-traditional model organisms. We predict that these genome editing protocols will help in implementing T. domestica as a laboratory model and to further accelerate the development and application of useful genetic tools in this species.

In our hands, about 100 eggs can be well injected with a single injection capillary when it has the adequate tip (Figure 3C). Injection of gRNA/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complex in embryos within the first 8 h after egg laying results in indels at the gRNA targeted site. This causes biallelic mutations in some cells of the injected generation (G0) and thus mutant mosaic phenotypes are usually obtained in G0. For example, when this protocol was used to inject a gRNA that is designed to target th...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Egg Microinjection and Efficient Mating for Genome Editing in the Firebrat Thermobia domestica at JoVE.com

Egg Microinjection and Efficient Mating for Genome Editing in the Firebrat Thermobia domestica

We provide a detailed protocol for rearing, microinjection of eggs and for efficient mating of the firebrat Thermobia domestica to generate and maintain mutant strains after genome editing.

Egg Microinjection and Efficient Mating for Genome Editing in the Firebrat Thermobia domestica

The firebrat Thermobia domestica is an ametabolous, wingless species that is suitable for studying the developmental mechanisms of insects that led to ...

Because Thermobia domestica is a basal insect, genetic studies on this species will illuminate mechanisms underlying the evolution of key innovations in insects, such as powered flight and metamorphoses. This protocol covers basic techniques from culture maintenance, to egg microinjection to implement Thermobia as a laboratory model species. This method can also be used for application of other genetic tools such as RNI mediated gene knockdown, and transgenesis in thermobia.Maintain wild type and mutant populations in a large plastic container with regular artificial fish food, water in plastic cups with a ventilation hole on the top, a folded paper for hiding the insects and layered cotton for laying eggs. Keep all T.domestica cultures inside 37 degree Celsius incubators and set the relative humidity inside each container to 60 to 80%To prepare the egg collection colonies transfer about 20 male and 20 female adults to a middle sized container with food, a water supply, a folded paper, and a small piece of layered cotton for egg-laying. Set up several colonies to obtain a large number of staged embryos within a short time period.On the day of injection replace the cotton inside the containers with new cotton. Eight hours later collect the eggs from the layered cotton by separating the layers using forceps. Align the eggs on the double-sided tape using a wet paint brush keeping a two millimeter distance between the eggs.All eggs should be oriented so that the longitudinal axis of an egg faces the injection side. Gently press the eggs down with a paintbrush for firm holding during the injection. Load two microliters of the gRNA CAS9 solution into a glass injection capillary with a micro loader.Make sure there are no air bubbles in the solution before the injection. If necessary tap the needle to remove the bubbles. optimize the shape of the needle tip by breaking it slightly with forceps to prevent clogging and to get better durability throughout a series of injections.Insert the needle at the midpoint of the longitudinal axis of an egg and inject a small amount of the solution. Adjust the configuration of the electronic micro injector during injection, depending on the shape of the needle tip. Keep the injected eggs in an appropriately sized container with 60 to 80%relative humidity at 37 degrees Celsius.Check the injected eggs periodically and discard damaged eggs to avoid fungal growth. If too much fungus is growing on an egg, clean the surface of the egg with 70%ethanol. Before hatching dip the glass slide with the injected eggs into talcum powder to coat the surface of the double-sided tape.This will prevent the stacking of hatched nymphs. Transfer the powder coated glass slides to a middle-sized container with food, water, and a folded paper. Isolate G1 nymphs into 24 well plates with an aspirator or a paintbrush.Maintain the supply of artificial regular fish food. Place the 24 well plates in a larger container with a water supply for a humidity of 60 to 80%Pinch and pull a cercus from a nymph or adult using forceps and collect them into a 0.2 milliliter tube containing 50 microliters of ethanol. Store the collected samples at negative 20 degrees Celsius for long-term storage.Place sample tubes with the lids open on a thermal block for 15 minutes at 70 degrees Celsius to evaporate the ethanol. Injection of gRNA CAS9 ribonucleoprotein complex in embryos within the first eight hours after egg-laying results in indels at the gRNA targeted site. this causes biallelic mutations in some cells of the injected generation and mutant mosaic phenotypes are usually obtained.When this protocol was used to inject a gRNA that was designed to target the white gene, 32.6%of G0 nymphs displayed a partial loss of pigmentation in their compound eyes and dorsal regions. Assessment of the germline transformation of G0 adults and mutated G1 individuals was done by genomic PCR followed by a hetero duplex mobility assay. In G1 samples, differential band patterns between wild type and mutated samples are clearly distinguishable.Genome editing in Thermobia provides a solid approach to analyze genetic mechanisms underlying premature traits of insects. It helps to explore the secrets behind their outstanding success and ours.

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Developmental Biology

4.2K visualizações.  Kyoto University. Because Thermobia domestica is a basal insect, genetic studies on this species will illuminate mechanisms underlying the evolution of key innovations in insects, such as powered flight and metamorphoses. This protocol covers basic techniques from culture maintenance, to egg microinjection to implement Thermobia as a laboratory model species. This method can also be used for application of other genetic tools such as RNI mediated gene knockdown, and transgenesis in thermobia.Maintain wi...