Abstract
Autophagy is a highly conserved and regulated process in eukaryotic cells and remodels cytoplasm, recovers essential nutrients, and disposes of unwanted cytoplasmic components. Autophagy-related gene (ATG) 8, identified in Heortia vitessoides Moore, which is an oligophagous pest of Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.), was characterized (HvATG8). Multiple sequence alignment showed that HvATG8 possesses highly conserved domain structures. Stage- and tissue-specific expressions indicated that HvATG8 is highly expressed in prepupal, pupal, and adult stages and in the midgut of larvae and abdomen of adults. Lack of function of HvATG8 by RNA interference resulted in a significant decrease in survival rate and an increase in abnormal or nonviable phenotypes in H. vitessoides. Transition rate from larval to pupal stages was 33.0% and from pupal to adult stages was 15.0% after injection. Reduction of ATG8 expression reduced survival of H. vitessoides. Therefore, HvATG8 possibly plays a key role in normal growth stage of H. vitessoides. HvATG8 suppression downregulates HvATG3 expression, suggesting that the two genes are interconnected. Further, HvATG8 expression increased by 20-hydroxyecdysone treatment, starvation, and extreme temperature exposure. Starvation also altered expression of other ATGs in H. vitessoide. This study may be used to guide research on molecular mechanisms of autophagy in insects.
Highlights
Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg (Malvales: Thymelaeaceae) is a traditional and precious natural spice, but it is the only medicinal plant that can produce aloes [1,2]
We found that the sequence of HvATG8 is highly similar to that of other insects
HvATG8 was expressed at different stages and tissues in H. vitessoides
Summary
Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg (Malvales: Thymelaeaceae) is a traditional and precious natural spice, but it is the only medicinal plant that can produce aloes [1,2]. The tree is found throughout southern China, including in Guangdong, Fujian, and Yunnan provinces; Hong Kong; and Southeast Asia [3]. The moth annually produces up to seven- to eight-generational alternation in southern. Its larvae entirely defoliate A. sinensis, causing serious financial losses [4,5,6]. Control methods such as avermectin, sex pheromone, and trichlorfon administration have been used for infestations [7]. Many reports on the biological and ecological characteristics of the moth are available [8], but few reports have focused on molecular control of H. vitessoides [8]
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