Contribution
Molecular characterization of insulin-like peptide genes and their important roles in Bemisia tabaci reproduction
Hu, Yuan; Yang, Zezhong; Gong, Cheng; Wu, Qingjun; Wang, Shaoli; Li, Chuanren; Zhang, Youjun; Guo, Zhaojiang
Entomologia Generalis Volume 42 Number 6 (2022), p. 977 - 986
publié: Dec 8, 2022
publication en ligne: Dec 8, 2022
manuscrit accepté: Sep 26, 2022
revision du manuscrit reçu: Aug 9, 2022
révision du manuscrit demandée: Jul 4, 2022
manuscrit reçu: May 25, 2022
DOI: 10.1127/entomologia/2022/1691
ArtNo. ESP146004206015, Prix: 29.00 €
Abstract
The perception and allocation of nutrition by neuropeptides in brain nerve cells is crucial for the growth and development of insects. Insulin-like peptides (ILPs) are well-known neuropeptides that serve as nutrient sensors and regulators to affect insect performance. ILPs have mainly been investigated in some model insects; however, the total number and functions of ILPs in the majority of agricultural insects, such as the notorious pest Bemisia tabaci, remain unknown. Herein, our genome-wide identification and cloning of all four ILP genes in B. tabaci revealed that the highest expression levels of BtILP1-3 were detected in the adult stage, while BtILP4 was barely detectable in adults. Furthermore, the fasting and feeding assays showed that BtILP1-3 are nutrient sensors in response to nutritional status in adults. Then, transient RNA interference of BtILP1-3 by oral feeding gene-specific dsRNAs significantly decreased the expression of the vitellogenin (Vg) gene, oviposition and mature oocytes of B. tabaci females. Finally, persistent RNA silencing of BtILP1-3 through virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) significantly reduced the expression level of BtILP1-3 and reduced female reproduction. Taken together, this is the first study to perform genome-wide identification of all the ILP genes in B. tabaci and demonstrate their crucial function in the regulation of B. tabaci reproduction, which provides new insights into the role of ILP genes in insect performance and could be used for pest control strategies.
Mots-clefs
insulin-like peptide • whitefly • nutrient regulation • RNA interference • Bemisia tabaci MED