Analysis of the Glyphodes pyloalis larvae immune transcriptome in response to parasitization by its endoparasitoid, Aulacococentrum confusum

Abstract

The interaction between a host and its parasitoid is one of the most fascinating relationships of insects. Immune-related genes play crucial roles in this association. Nevertheless, until now, identification of these genes on a large scale has not received much attention. To gain insight into the parasitic effects of the endoparasitoid Aulacocentrum confusum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on Glyphodes pyloalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larva, which is a destructive pest of mulberry (Morus alba L.) trees in China, we presented a transcriptome dataset for uncovering immune-related genes in parasitized G. pyloalis larvae. In total, 91,118,138 and 92,778,814 clean reads were obtained from parasitized and healthy host larvae, respectively, and de novo assembly generated 57,122 unigenes. The transcriptional profile of G. pyloalis larvae was remarkably influenced by parasitism. A total of 3259 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in parasitized and nonparasitized G. pyloalis larvae and 55 genes related to immune response were screened from these DEGs. Among the 55 DEGs, 37 genes were significantly upregulated, and 18 genes were downregulated. qRT-PCR validated the sequencing results and revealed that the expression levels of selected immune-related genes depended on the parasitization and duration after parasitization. Knocking down the C type lectin gene (CTL) changed the expression of serine proteinase, serine protease inhibitor, antimicrobial peptide, prophenoloxidase activating enzymes and peroxiredoxin in G. pyloalis larvae, suggesting CTL can modulate the immune response after parasitization by A. confusum females. The present study provides a foundation for revealing the molecular mechanisms of immune response in G. pyloalis larvae when they are parasitized by A. confusum and promotes the development of novel biological control practices for G. pyloalis.